Cheapest Materials Sciences Colleges

Two California universities crack the top five cheapest Materials Sciences programs despite their elite status. UCLA and UC Berkeley offer net costs under $15,000, creating an unusual situation where highly selective schools (8.57% and 11.33% acceptance rates) cost less than many regional options. The aerospace and semiconductor industries in California drive strong demand for materials engineers, with companies like Boeing, Intel, and Tesla requiring expertise in advanced composites and nanomaterials. Meanwhile, Purdue University Fort Wayne leads affordability at $11,513 net cost, though its 32.50% graduation rate trails significantly behind the California programs' 92%+ completion rates.

Programs

$11,513 – $32,798

Net Price Range

$57,181

Avg. Program Earnings

75.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 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%
8	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$20,148	$69,045	95.0%	4.0%
9	Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois	$27,143	$65,997	95.9%	7.2%
10	Linfield University McMinnville, Oregon	$27,341	$49,530	65.2%	88.7%
11	Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$29,219	$22,082	74.7%	79.7%
12	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$31,671	$63,829	92.5%	11.3%
13	The Catholic University of America Washington, District of Columbia	$32,798	$55,834	81.3%	85.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Both schools offer substantial financial aid that brings net costs to $14,013 and $14,979 respectively. California's solid state funding for UC schools helps keep costs low for qualified students, even though these programs maintain acceptance rates under 12%.

How do graduation rates vary between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

The most affordable option, Purdue Fort Wayne at $11,513, has a 32.50% graduation rate. In contrast, the priciest program at Catholic University ($32,798) achieves 81.30% graduation, while mid-range Northwestern hits 95.90%.

Does earning potential justify higher program costs in Materials Sciences?

University of Arizona graduates earn $67,101 despite the program costing $15,960, while Carnegie Mellon graduates earn $47,260 from a $31,671 program. The data suggests location and industry connections matter more than program price for salary outcomes.

Where can students find the best value combining low cost and high graduation rates?

UC Berkeley and UCLA offer strong value with graduation rates above 92% and net costs under $15,000. University of Delaware provides a middle ground at $16,931 with a solid 78.80% graduation rate.

More Materials Sciences Rankings

Best Value Materials Sciences Materials Sciences Under $20,000

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.