Materials Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 68 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best materials sciences schools.
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Choosing a Great Materials Sciences School
Where you study materials sciences matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Materials Sciences Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Materials Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in materials sciences. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 111 materials sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238.
See the full materials sciences program report for University Of California Berkeley
A rank of #2 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the top schools for materials sciences. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. About 57 materials sciences degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
More information about a degree in materials sciences from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best materials sciences schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 materials sciences degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Graduates of the materials sciences program make about $86,770 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in materials sciences from Columbia University In The City Of New York
University Of California Santa Barbara is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in materials sciences, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 46 materials sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Materials Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $45,488 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,501 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in materials sciences from University Of California Santa Barbara
A rank of #5 makes Rochester Institute Of Technology one of the top schools for materials sciences. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 23 materials sciences degrees were awarded at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Materials Sciences graduates of Rochester Institute Of Technology earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,491.
Get the full materials sciences details for Rochester Institute Of Technology
University At Buffalo placed #6 among the best materials sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. University At Buffalo awarded about 16 materials sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the materials sciences program make about $52,403 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,232.
More information about a degree in materials sciences from University At Buffalo
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #7 for materials sciences this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 90 materials sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their materials sciences degree from Carnegie Mellon University earn around $89,327 in the first couple years of their career. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans.
See the full materials sciences program report for Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Delaware placed #8 among the best materials sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. University Of Delaware awarded about 34 materials sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Materials Sciences graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,861.
More information about a degree in materials sciences from University Of Delaware
University Of California Riverside ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best materials sciences schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. University Of California Riverside graduates 76% of students within six years. About 13 materials sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Graduates of the materials sciences program make about $40,040 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete this degree.
Read more about the materials sciences program at University Of California Riverside
The University Of Alabama came in at #10 for materials sciences this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 11 materials sciences degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their materials sciences degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $50,740 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,496.
Read more about the materials sciences program at The University Of Alabama
University Of Arizona placed #11 among the best materials sciences schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Arizona awarded about 22 materials sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, materials sciences degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $50,834. Students borrow a median of $21,861 to complete this degree.
Get the full materials sciences details for University Of Arizona
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 68 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
