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Best Value Materials Engineering Colleges

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Materials Engineering programs show stark value differences, with the University of Florida delivering strong returns at just $6,351 net cost while producing graduates earning $67,660 annually. This represents one of the strongest cost-to-earnings ratios in engineering education today. Michigan Technological University graduates command the highest starting salaries at $73,635, though students pay $15,729 for the privilege. The aerospace and automotive industries across the Midwest and Southeast continue driving demand for materials engineers, particularly in advanced composites and metallurgy applications. Georgia Tech and University of Michigan maintain their reputations for rigorous programs, with acceptance rates below 18%, while delivering graduates who earn above $65,000. Public institutions dominate this field, with net costs ranging from Florida's bargain pricing to Michigan Tech's premium positioning. The 20 programs span acceptance rates from Georgia Tech's selective 17% to University of Connecticut campuses exceeding 90%, creating pathways for students across academic profiles.
50
Programs
$6,351 – $38,428
Net Price Range
$65,789
Avg. Program Earnings
78.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Materials Engineering Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $6,351 $67,660 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
2 $8,896 $61,303 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
3 $11,504 $61,303 $17,462 56.7% 97.4%
4 $13,485 $70,680 $12,643 83.7% 47.5%
5 $13,289 $65,387 $11,764 92.3% 17.1%
6 $13,945 $68,499 $9,992 83.1% 52.7%
7 $13,670 $66,821 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
8 $14,832 $71,575 $17,228 93.2% 17.7%
9 $15,729 $73,635 $18,392 68.7% 93.7%
10 $13,339 $61,303 $17,452 65.4% 97.3%
11 $14,352 $63,997 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
12 $15,201 $66,541 $16,004 84.9% 44.8%
13 $15,624 $68,219 $11,075 85.2% 30.4%
14 $14,059 $61,303 $17,472 56.9% 92.2%
15 $15,590 $66,325 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
16 $16,928 $66,941 $11,205 89.3% 49.1%
17 $18,292 $71,015 $12,859 87.7% 52.7%
18 $17,727 $64,990 $8,832 62.4% 86.7%
19 $17,139 $62,632 $16,488 84.8% 74.9%
20 $16,931 $61,516 $8,895 84.6% 47.2%
21 $18,148 $63,217 $10,498 60.9% 73.8%
22 $18,165 $63,005 $10,497 75.5% 90.2%
23 $20,751 $69,338 $15,988 82.2% 88.0%
24 $19,813 $65,238 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
25 $18,109 $58,221 $13,484 73.5% 68.4%
26 $22,112 $62,012 $15,554 87.9% 43.0%
27 $22,886 $61,303 $20,366 83.8% 54.5%
28 $23,790 $61,814 $15,478 86.3% 57.0%
29 $31,229 $76,460 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
30 $27,143 $63,005 $65,997 95.9% 7.2%
31 $33,549 $74,200 $62,180 89.2% 37.0%
32 $32,337 $68,778 $66,014 95.1% 7.5%
33 $33,139 $64,990 $61,884 83.2% 64.5%
34 $38,428 $63,600 $60,663 77.1% 79.6%
35 $22,701 $39,530 55.5% 50.6%
36 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
37 $20,924 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
38 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
39 $16,438 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
40 $16,948 $9,277 67.6% 76.6%
41 $16,177 $10,020 51.2% 86.3%
42 $12,136 $62,484 92.8% 3.7%
43 $12,744 $14,167 69.1% 89.5%
44 $13,782 $8,816 60.9% 73.9%
45 $23,897 $12,536 79.2% 43.7%
46 $18,902 $63,255 93.2% 2.7%
47 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
48 $12,840 $14,237 86.0% 21.2%
49 $14,013 $13,747 92.7% 8.6%
50 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the University of Florida's Materials Engineering program such strong value?

Florida combines the lowest net cost at $6,351 with impressive graduate earnings of $67,660, creating a return on investment that outpaces most engineering programs. The 91.5% graduation rate indicates strong student support systems. Florida's aerospace industry, including major NASA operations and defense contractors, provides abundant internship and career opportunities for materials engineering graduates.

How do Michigan Tech graduates achieve the highest starting salaries?

Michigan Technological University graduates earn $73,635 annually, the highest among these programs, reflecting their specialized focus on metallurgy and materials science applications. The school's location in Michigan's Upper Peninsula provides direct connections to mining and manufacturing industries. Despite a 93.68% acceptance rate, the program maintains rigorous standards with strong industry partnerships driving high salary outcomes.

Is the University of Connecticut worth considering across multiple campuses?

Connecticut offers Materials Engineering at four campuses with identical $61,303 graduate earnings but varying costs from $8,896 to $14,059. The Waterbury campus provides the best value with high acceptance rates above 97%. However, graduation rates range from 56.7% to 65.4%, suggesting students should carefully evaluate campus-specific support systems before enrolling.

Does selectivity correlate with higher earnings in Materials Engineering?

The most selective programs don't always produce the highest earners in this field. Georgia Tech accepts just 17.13% of applicants with graduates earning $65,387, while Michigan Tech accepts 93.68% yet delivers $73,635 salaries. University of Michigan combines selectivity at 17.69% acceptance with strong $71,575 earnings, showing that both approaches can succeed depending on program focus and regional industry connections.

Where do public universities offer the best Materials Engineering value?

Public institutions dominate Materials Engineering education, with in-state tuition ranging from $9,992 at Purdue to $18,392 at Michigan Tech. California Polytechnic State University delivers strong value at $11,075 in-state cost with $68,219 graduate earnings and an 85.2% graduation rate. The West Coast, Midwest, and Southeast regions offer the strongest combinations of affordable education and high-paying career opportunities.

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