Materials Sciences Colleges Under $20,000

California's UC system delivers Materials Sciences education at remarkably low costs, with UCLA and Berkeley both offering programs under $15,000 annually despite their highly selective admissions. Berkeley achieves a 92.9% graduation rate while accepting just 11.33% of applicants, creating an unusual combination of academic rigor and affordability. These programs feed directly into California's aerospace and semiconductor industries, where Materials Sciences graduates command strong salaries in companies like Boeing, Intel, and Tesla throughout the state.

Programs

$11,513 – $16,948

Net Price Range

$67,101

Avg. Program Earnings

68.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

7 Materials Sciences Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, Indiana	$11,513	$9,254	32.5%	80.7%
2	University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez Mayaguez, Puerto Rico	$12,684	$5,274	47.0%	54.4%
3	University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, California	$14,013	$13,747	92.7%	8.6%
4	University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California	$14,979	$14,850	92.9%	11.3%
5	University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona	$15,960	$13,626	65.9%	86.8%
6	University of Delaware Newark, Delaware	$16,931	$16,080	78.8%	73.8%
7	University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, Wisconsin	$16,948	$9,277	67.6%	76.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes UCLA and Berkeley so affordable for Materials Sciences despite their reputation?

Both schools benefit from California's public university funding model, keeping net costs at $14,013 and $14,979 respectively. Their Materials Sciences programs maintain over 92% graduation rates while serving in-state students at prices comparable to much less selective institutions.

How do acceptance rates vary among affordable Materials Sciences programs?

The range spans from highly selective UC schools at 8.57% (UCLA) and 11.33% (Berkeley) to more accessible options like University of Arizona at 86.76%. Purdue Fort Wayne offers the most accessible entry point at 80.66% acceptance with the lowest net cost of $11,513.

Is there significant cost variation between these affordable programs?

Net costs range from $11,513 at Purdue Fort Wayne to $16,948 at Wisconsin-Eau Claire, creating a $5,435 difference. In-state students see even wider gaps, from $5,274 at Puerto Rico-Mayaguez to $16,080 at Delaware, reflecting varying state funding levels.

More Materials Sciences Rankings

Cheapest Materials Sciences Best Value Materials Sciences

All Materials Sciences Programs All College Rankings Highest-Paying Majors 2026

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.