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Polymer engineering programs under $20,000 show striking variation in graduation rates, from 48.20% at the University of Akron to 70.10% at UMass Lowell. The field serves America's $373 billion plastics industry, with graduates earning $63,005 annually. Net costs span from $14,224 at Southern Mississippi to $18,680 at Western Washington, while acceptance rates exceed 80% at all five schools. These affordable options prepare students for careers in automotive, packaging, and medical device manufacturing sectors.
5
Programs
$14,224 – $18,680
Net Price Range
$63,005
Avg. Program Earnings
57.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Polymer/Plastics Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,224 $9,618 50.6% 98.8%
2 $14,981 $12,799 48.2% 82.9%
3 $17,365 $10,142 52.5% 86.3%
4 $18,627 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
5 $18,680 $9,286 65.5% 92.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide gap in graduation rates among these polymer engineering programs?

UMass Lowell achieves a 70.10% graduation rate compared to 48.20% at Akron, despite similar acceptance rates above 80%. Schools with stronger industry partnerships and co-op programs typically see higher completion rates.

How do debt levels compare across these affordable polymer programs?

Student debt ranges from $19,743 at Western Washington to $27,000 at UMass Lowell. Wisconsin-Stout falls in the middle at $22,964, while Southern Mississippi and Akron did not report debt data.

Where do polymer engineering graduates typically find employment?

The $63,005 median salary reflects strong demand in automotive plastics, medical devices, and packaging industries. Major employers include DuPont, 3M, and automotive suppliers concentrated in the Midwest and Southeast regions.

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