Best Materials Engineering Schools in Illinois

Illinois has 2 colleges offering Materials Engineering programs tracked by the College Scorecard, producing 48 recent graduates. Graduates earn $64,773 on average within two years, roughly in line with the national average of $65,789.

2
Schools in IL
$64,773
IL Avg. Earnings
$65,789
National Avg.
34
Schools Nationally

Public vs Private: Materials Engineering in Illinois

Public Schools (1)
$66,541
avg. 2yr earnings
Private Schools (1)
$63,005
avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools in Illinois produce comparable or higher early earnings for Materials Engineering graduates, often at lower cost — making them strong value options.

Materials Engineering Schools in Illinois, Ranked by Earnings

#1
U

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public

$66,541
2yr Earnings
1yr Earnings: $64,436
Graduates: 48
Acceptance: 43.7%
#2
N

Northwestern University

Evanston, IL · Private

$63,005
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 7.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Materials Engineering in Illinois?
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign ranks #1 for Materials Engineering in Illinois with median graduate earnings of $66,541 within two years of graduation. There are 2 schools offering Materials Engineering programs in the state.
How much do Materials Engineering graduates earn in Illinois?
Materials Engineering graduates in Illinois earn an average of $64,773 within two years of graduation. This is 2% below the national average of $65,789 for this major.
What is the hardest Materials Engineering school to get into in Illinois?
Northwestern University is the most selective Materials Engineering program in Illinois with an acceptance rate of 7.1%. The average acceptance rate across Materials Engineering programs in the state is 25.4%.
Should I attend a public or private school for Materials Engineering in Illinois?
In Illinois, private Materials Engineering programs produce average earnings of $63,005 vs $66,541 at public schools. However, public schools typically cost less — consider net price relative to earnings when calculating ROI. There are 1 public and 1 private options in the state.

Other Popular Majors in Illinois

All colleges in Illinois →

Materials Engineering in Other States

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Data updated June 2026. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.