Cheapest Polymer/Plastics Engineering Colleges

The University of Southern Mississippi offers the nation's most affordable polymer engineering education at just $14,224 net cost, accepting nearly 99% of applicants. This field connects directly to the Gulf Coast's petrochemical corridor, where major plastics manufacturers like DuPont and Eastman Chemical operate extensive facilities. At the other end of the spectrum, Case Western Reserve commands $38,909 annually but delivers an 87% graduation rate. Eight programs nationwide provide pathways into this specialized field, with costs varying dramatically between public and private institutions.

Programs

$14,224 – $38,909

Net Price Range

$63,377

Avg. Program Earnings

62.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Polymer/Plastics Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, Mississippi	$14,224	$9,618	50.6%	98.8%
2	University of Akron Main Campus Akron, Ohio	$14,981	$12,799	48.2%	82.9%
3	University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, Wisconsin	$17,365	$10,142	52.5%	86.3%
4	University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, Massachusetts	$18,627	$16,570	70.1%	86.0%
5	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
6	Auburn University Auburn, Alabama	$23,897	$12,536	79.2%	43.7%
7	Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, Pennsylvania	$26,084	$17,940	50.4%
8	Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, Ohio	$38,909	$64,671	87.0%	27.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the dramatic cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Public universities dominate the affordable end, with Southern Mississippi at $14,224 and Akron at $14,981, while private Case Western Reserve reaches $38,909. The $24,685 gap reflects typical public versus private pricing, though Case Western's 87% graduation rate significantly exceeds the 50-60% rates at budget options.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in polymer engineering?

Higher-cost programs generally produce better completion rates, with Auburn at $23,897 achieving 79% graduation and UMass Lowell at $18,627 reaching 70%. Budget leaders Southern Mississippi and Akron hover around 50% completion, suggesting cost savings may come with academic support trade-offs.

Where can students find the best value combination of affordability and outcomes?

UMass Lowell delivers strong value at $18,627 with 70% graduation rates and documented earnings of $63,005 post-graduation. Western Washington at $18,680 also merits consideration with its 65% completion rate and lower debt load of $19,743.

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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.