Penn State has been a leader in materials science and engineering education and innovation since the very beginning. Our programs are consistently rated highly in many rankings, including U.S. News & World Report. Here are a few examples of recent rankings, primarily relating to our academic standing.
National Science Foundation Research Expenditure Rankings
Penn State’s research enterprise ranks 22nd in the country in total research expenditures, according to the latest National Science Foundation rankings of Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) research expenditures, released in December 2022.
#1 in Materials Science (fourth consecutive year)
#2 in Materials Engineering (fourth consecutive year)
#4 in total overall Engineering
U.S. News and World Report Rankings
Graduate Programs
#11 in Materials Engineering (2024)
Undergraduate Programs
In materials engineering where the highest engineering degree offered is a doctorate.
#9 in Materials Engineering (2024)
Best Global Universities
#28 in Materials Science (2022)
Online Education
Penn State World Campus's online programs are among more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News and World Report and are ranked best in the nation in 2022. Only regionally accredited institutions whose programs are offered mostly or entirely online were evaluated.
#16 in Best Online Bachelor's Programs (tie)
#11 in Best Online Bachelor's Programs for Veterans (tie)
#3 in Best Online Master's in Engineering Programs
#3 in Best Online Master's in Engineering Programs for Veterans
Note that specialty rankings are not available in all disciplines at the undergraduate level, and not all disciplines are ranked every year.
QS World University 2023 Rankings by Subject
#26 - Materials Science
Academic Ranking of World Universities
2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects
#14 in Materials Science & Engineering
#43 in Metallurgical Engineering