AbstractMaterial scheduling is significant in the ethylene production process. However, factors such as the production scale and the technology also affect the choice of material scheduling solutions. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel P‐graph methodology integrated data envelopment analysis (DEA) for the solutions selection of material scheduling. First, based on the basic procedure, a scheduling superstructure model expanding from the time dimension is built. With the cost as the objective function, the optimal and partially feasible scheduling solutions are generated based on the P‐graph, and the results are analyzed in detail with reference to ISA‐95. Then the DEA is used to analyze the indicators of material consumption and product yields to give a selection strategy from the input‐output perspective. The optimal solution and suboptimal solution sets are evaluated and analyzed, and decision making units (DMUs) with the highest score are calculated. Based on the scheduling solution with the highest score and relatively low cost, the potential adjustment of other solution is also given. Finally, a complete base of material scheduling solution has been implemented, which provides more references for decision makers. This paper considers the lowest cost as the goal and gives a more suitable alternative from the perspective of input‐output efficiency in combination with the actual production conditions, which is a good extension of the P‐graph.