2026 Best Materials Engineering Schools
Looking for the best Materials Engineering programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 119 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Materials Engineering Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
No school ranked higher than Massachusetts Institute Of Technology this year in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Read more about Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Northwestern University came in at #2 on this year's Materials Engineering ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Evanston, IL. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $16,616. Get the full Northwestern University report
Cornell University came in at #3 on this year's Materials Engineering ranking in the United States. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Cornell University Materials Engineering students take on a median of $18,000 in debt. Read more about Cornell University
Out of the 119 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, University Of Dayton landed the #4 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Dayton, OH. University Of Dayton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $49,140. Graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. See the full University Of Dayton profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5 this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Stanford University placed #6 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Read the full report on Stanford University
University Of Notre Dame came in at #7 in this year's ranking. University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit school based in Notre Dame, IN. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,025. Students borrow a median of $19,891 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. See the full University Of Notre Dame profile
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus did well this year, earning the #8 position. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus Materials Engineering students take on a median of $17,123 in debt. See the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #9 spot in the United States this year. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Located in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $21,335. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
University Of Florida placed #11 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $17,669. Read the full report on University Of Florida
The University Of Texas At Austin did well this year, earning the #12 position. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
Duke University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 97% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,758. Duke University Materials Engineering students take on a median of $13,296 in debt. See the full Duke University profile
University Of Pennsylvania did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Lehigh University placed #15 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Students borrow a median of $26,324 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Read more about Lehigh University
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #16 position. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $20,676. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Villanova University landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. Villanova University graduates 92% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $67,776 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,184 in student loans. Read the full report on Villanova University
Michigan State University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. About 81% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Michigan State University Materials Engineering students take on a median of $27,925 in debt. More on Michigan State University
Michigan Technological University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Houghton, MI. Michigan Technological University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $27,000. Get the full Michigan Technological University report
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $27,000. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $17,000. More on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school based in Champaign, IL. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Materials Engineering students take on a median of $17,916 in debt. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Washington University In St Louis placed #23 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit school based in St. Louis, MO. About 94% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Materials Engineering students take on a median of $17,553 in debt. Read more about Washington University In St Louis
University Of Southern California ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Get the full University Of Southern California report
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Rest of the Top 50 Best Materials Engineering Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #26 position. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $20,031. More on Texas A And M University College Station
Iowa State University came in at #27 in this year's ranking. Located in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $23,125. See the full Iowa State University profile
Colorado School Of Mines landed the #28 spot in the United States this year. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Colorado School Of Mines posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans. Read the full report on Colorado School Of Mines
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #29 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. Ohio State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $19,500. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
Winona State University came in at #30 in this year's ranking. Winona State University is a public school based in Winona, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,576, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Winona State University Materials Engineering students take on a median of $22,000 in debt. Read more about Winona State University
University Of California San Diego did well this year, earning the #31 position. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $17,101. More on University Of California San Diego
Case Western Reserve University placed #32 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cleveland, OH. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. Case Western Reserve University Materials Engineering students take on a median of $25,106 in debt. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
Johns Hopkins University landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $13,426. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Clemson University landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,554, with out-of-state students paying around $40,866. Students borrow a median of $25,243 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. More on Clemson University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Based in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Get the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report
Stevens Institute Of Technology placed #36 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Located in Hoboken, NJ, Stevens Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Stevens Institute Of Technology graduates 87% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $63,462 in tuition and fees. Stevens Institute Of Technology Materials Engineering students take on a median of $26,767 in debt. See the full Stevens Institute Of Technology profile
Auburn University did well this year, earning the #37 position. This public school is set in Auburn, AL. Auburn University graduates 82% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. See the full Auburn University profile
Tufts University placed #38 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school based in Medford, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Read more about Tufts University
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $24,958. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #41 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Materials Engineering students take on a median of $21,250 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
The University Of Tennessee did well this year, earning the #42 position. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. The University Of Tennessee Materials Engineering students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Read more about The University Of Tennessee
Missouri University Of Science And Technology came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Located in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. Missouri University Of Science And Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,984, while out-of-state students pay about $33,248. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $25,187. Read more about Missouri University Of Science And Technology
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $21,111. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
University Of California Davis did well this year, earning the #45 position. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $18,777. Read more about University Of California Davis
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #46 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $21,348. See the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College profile
Tulane University Of Louisiana placed #47 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Set in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Students from in state pay about $68,678 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Read more about Tulane University Of Louisiana
Boston University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Boston University posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Get the full Boston University report
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #49 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Birmingham, AL. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $26,162. Read the full report on University Of Alabama At Birmingham
San Jose State University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Read more about San Jose State University
Best Materials Engineering Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Materials Engineering Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Materials Engineering Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Materials Engineering Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Materials Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Materials Engineering Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Materials Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Materials Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 119 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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