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2026 Best Materials Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools

2026 Best Materials Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools

Looking for the best Materials Engineering bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 119 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.

To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States

Explore the leading schools below:

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology tops our 2026 ranking of the best Materials Engineering bachelor's degree schools in the United States. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL

A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $16,616. Get the full Northwestern University report

#3

Cornell University

Ithaca, NY

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. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $18,000. Read the full report on Cornell University

#4

University Of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA

The strong Materials Engineering programs at University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. More on University Of Pennsylvania

You'll be in good company at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $17,750. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. This public school is set in Atlanta, GA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,123 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Read the full report on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

#7

Lehigh University

Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University placed #7 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University posts a six-year graduation rate of 88%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,980. Lehigh University Materials Engineering students take on a median of $26,324 in debt. Get the full Lehigh University report

#8

University Of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. University Of Florida is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. University Of Florida Materials Engineering students take on a median of $17,669 in debt. Get the full University Of Florida report

#9

Purdue University Main Campus

West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $21,335 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile

Michigan Technological University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Based in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. Michigan Technological University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More on Michigan Technological University

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Madison, WI. About 90% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,676 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $17,916 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

#14

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $27,925. Read the full report on Michigan State University

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $20,031. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $17,000. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

University Of California Los Angeles placed #17 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles

#18

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Get the full Stanford University report

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $19,500. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus

Iowa State University came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. See the full Iowa State University profile

#21

Winona State University

Winona, MN

Winona State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Winona State University is a public school based in Winona, MN. Winona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees run about $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 the full report on Winona State University

#22

Clemson University

Clemson, SC

Clemson University did well this year, earning the #22 position. Clemson University is a public school based in Clemson, SC. Clemson University graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,554, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $25,243. Get the full Clemson University report

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute did well this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,078. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute profile

Case Western Reserve University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $25,106. Read the full report on Case Western Reserve University

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #25 position. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $24,958. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report

Rest of the Top 50 Best Materials Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:

#26

Auburn University

Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. More on Auburn University

University Of Maryland College Park ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. This public school is set in College Park, MD. University Of Maryland College Park posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $20,836. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Located in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. 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

Arizona State University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. Arizona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,733 in student loans. See the full Arizona State University profile

University Of Alabama At Birmingham did well this year, earning the #30 position. This public school is set in Birmingham, AL. University Of Alabama At Birmingham posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. University Of Alabama At Birmingham Materials Engineering students take on a median of $26,162 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Alabama At Birmingham

University Of California Davis came in at #31 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Davis, CA. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. University Of California Davis Materials Engineering students take on a median of $18,777 in debt. Read more about University Of California Davis

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #32 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $21,111. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile

Washington State University came in at #33 in this year's ranking. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $29,760. See the full Washington State University profile

#34

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Read more about Johns Hopkins University

#35

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

San Jose State University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Read the full report on San Jose State University

#36

The University Of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN

The University Of Tennessee ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Based in Knoxville, TN, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. 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. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Read more about The University Of Tennessee

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #37 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $20,915 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Washington Seattle Campus

#38

Drexel University

Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 78% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Drexel University Materials Engineering students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. See the full Drexel University profile

University Of California Irvine did well this year, earning the #39 position. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $9,987. More on University Of California Irvine

University Of Connecticut landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. Based in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about University Of Connecticut

Illinois Institute Of Technology did well this year, earning the #41 position. Illinois Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $52,202. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $26,774. More on Illinois Institute Of Technology

Boise State University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Boise, ID, Boise State University is a public institution. Boise State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. More on Boise State University

#43

University Of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky came in at #43 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Lexington, KY. University Of Kentucky graduates 71% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, while out-of-state students pay about $34,140. University Of Kentucky Materials Engineering students take on a median of $24,094 in debt. Read more about University Of Kentucky

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #44 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Milwaukee, WI. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee Materials Engineering students take on a median of $29,750 in debt. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee report

#45

University Of Idaho

Moscow, ID

University Of Idaho ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Set in Moscow, ID, University Of Idaho is a public institution. University Of Idaho graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. University Of Idaho Materials Engineering students take on a median of $23,844 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Idaho

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #46 in this year's ranking. Located in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. University Of Nevada Reno posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,918 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Get the full University Of Nevada Reno report

University Of California Riverside landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. Based in Riverside, CA, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $19,187. See the full University Of California Riverside profile

Wright State University Main Campus placed #48 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Wright State University Main Campus is a public school based in Dayton, OH. Roughly 42% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Wright State University Main Campus Materials Engineering students take on a median of $25,836 in debt. Get the full Wright State University Main Campus report

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Based in Socorro, NM, New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,476, while out-of-state students pay about $27,247. New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology Materials Engineering students take on a median of $18,747 in debt. Read more about New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology

#50

Alfred University

Alfred, NY

Alfred University did well this year, earning the #50 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Alfred, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Students from in state pay about $38,138 in tuition and fees. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $25,706. Read more about Alfred University

See rankings for other degree levels:

Ranking Methodology & Notes

These rankings are produced 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

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