2026 Best Value Materials Sciences Schools

1

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

For return on investment in materials sciences, no school beat University Of California Santa Barbara this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for materials sciences graduates is $15,501. Materials Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #2 place for materials sciences. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the materials sciences program here. Early-career materials sciences graduates make about $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Riverside one of the best values for materials sciences. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the materials sciences program here. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $40,040. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

4

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware is a great value for students pursuing a degree in materials sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the materials sciences program here. Early-career materials sciences graduates make about $54,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

5

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

A rank of #5 makes University Of Arizona one of the best values for materials sciences. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete the materials sciences program here. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.

6

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #6 among the best values for materials sciences. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the materials sciences program here. Materials Sciences graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

7

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo landed the #7 spot for materials sciences value this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Materials Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Materials Sciences graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.

8

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value materials sciences schools. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the materials sciences program here. Early-career materials sciences graduates make about $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.

9

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #9 for value in materials sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Typical student debt for materials sciences graduates is $27,491. Early-career materials sciences graduates make about $63,515. Set against $27,491 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.

10

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #10 for value in materials sciences this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Materials Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.

11

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #11 position for value in materials sciences this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.