2026 Best Materials Engineering Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Materials Engineering master’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 119 institutions 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in the United States. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Materials Engineering students take on a median of $13,516 in debt. More on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Out of the 119 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. More on Stanford University
Northwestern University came in at #3 on this year's Materials Engineering ranking in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Northwestern University Materials Engineering students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read more about Northwestern University
The strong Materials Engineering programs at University Of Dayton earned it the #4 place in the United States. University Of Dayton is a private not-for-profit school based in Dayton, OH. University Of Dayton posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $49,140. Graduates carry a median of $25,033 in student loans. See the full University Of Dayton profile
Out of the 119 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Cornell University landed the #5 spot. Based in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Read the full report on Cornell University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Materials Engineering students take on a median of $17,750 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Duke University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Durham, NC. The six-year graduation rate is 97%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $13,296. See the full Duke University profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $61,591. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Based in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $17,123. Get the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus report
Johns Hopkins University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Baltimore, MD. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Materials Engineering students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. More on Johns Hopkins University
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #11 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Graduates carry a median of $20,676 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
The University Of Texas At Austin came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin Materials Engineering students take on a median of $21,275 in debt. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #13 position. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $17,553. Read the full report on Washington University In St Louis
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #14 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $15,625. Read more about University Of Southern California
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #15 spot in the United States this year. 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report
University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Purdue University Main Campus did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $21,335. Read more about Purdue University Main Campus
University Of California San Diego placed #18 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Read more about University Of California San Diego
University Of Florida landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $17,669. Read more about University Of Florida
Case Western Reserve University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Located in Cleveland, OH, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. Case Western Reserve University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. In-state tuition and fees average $66,608. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $25,106. Read more about Case Western Reserve University
Auburn University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Located in Auburn, AL, Auburn University is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. See the full Auburn University profile
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. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,916 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
Lehigh University placed #23 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. See the full Lehigh University profile
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $27,000. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
Michigan Technological University landed the #25 spot in the United States this year. Set in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $27,000. Get the full Michigan Technological University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Materials Engineering Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Graduates carry a median of $20,031 in student loans. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
Tufts University placed #27 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Tufts University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $17,074. Read more about Tufts University
Colorado School Of Mines placed #28 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Colorado School Of Mines is a public school based in Golden, CO. Colorado School Of Mines posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $24,521. More on Colorado School Of Mines
San Jose State University came in at #29 in this year's ranking. Based in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Get the full San Jose State University report
Clemson University did well this year, earning the #30 position. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Clemson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 87%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,554, while out-of-state students pay about $40,866. Students borrow a median of $25,243 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Get the full Clemson University report
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Ohio State University Main Campus Materials Engineering students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #32 in this year's ranking. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public school based in Raleigh, NC. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, 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 Minnesota Twin Cities did well this year, earning the #33 position. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Materials Engineering students take on a median of $24,958 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Located in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,984, with out-of-state students paying around $33,248. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $25,187. Read the full report on Missouri University Of Science And Technology
University Of California Davis ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Graduates carry a median of $18,777 in student loans. Get the full University Of California Davis report
Tulane University Of Louisiana landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in New Orleans, LA, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Tulane University Of Louisiana Materials Engineering students take on a median of $22,077 in debt. See the full Tulane University Of Louisiana profile
The University Of Tennessee placed #38 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. This public school is set in Knoxville, TN. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $19,500. Get the full The University Of Tennessee report
Boston University placed #39 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete their Materials Engineering program here. Read more about Boston University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #40 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school based in College Park, MD. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $20,836. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute did well this year, earning the #41 position. Based in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Materials Engineering students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. Get the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #42 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Rapid City, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,500, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology Materials Engineering students take on a median of $26,668 in debt. See the full South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology profile
Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana placed #43 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana is a public school based in Butte, MT. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,289, while out-of-state students pay about $26,094. Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana Materials Engineering students take on a median of $23,962 in debt. Get the full Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana report
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Located in Duluth, MN, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a public institution. University Of Minnesota Duluth posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $24,624. See the full University Of Minnesota Duluth profile
University Of Alabama At Birmingham ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Materials Engineering schools. This public school is set in Birmingham, AL. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,098, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $26,162. See the full University Of Alabama At Birmingham profile
University Of California Irvine placed #46 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Set in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Graduates carry a median of $9,987 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Irvine
New Jersey Institute Of Technology came in at #47 in this year's ranking. Located in Newark, NJ, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a public institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Typical Materials Engineering student debt is $24,755. See the full New Jersey Institute Of Technology profile
Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Set in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $60,765. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $26,259. Read more about Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Arizona State University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Arizona State University is a public school based in Tempe, AZ. Arizona State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. The median Materials Engineering program debt is $23,733. Read the full report on Arizona State University
Drexel University placed #50 among Materials Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 78% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Graduates carry a median of $31,000 in student loans. More on Drexel University
Related Materials Engineering Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Materials Engineering Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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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