2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cognitive science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cognitive Science Schools
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for cognitive science in the United States. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $8,055 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $105,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,055 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for cognitive science. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,481 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $39,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Rice University one of the best values for cognitive science. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $47,459. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #4 place for cognitive science. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $13,950 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $64,559 early in their careers. Set against $13,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for cognitive science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $53,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of California Davis landed the #7 spot for cognitive science value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $42,342. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #8 among the best values for cognitive science. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $41,362. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $44,698 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of California Merced ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $32,419. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University placed #12 among the best values for cognitive science. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $42,602. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #13 among the best values for cognitive science. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $44,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware landed the #14 spot for cognitive science value this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $54,155. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #15 among the best values for cognitive science. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $35,384. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #16 for value in cognitive science this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $24,624. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $46,572. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #17 spot for cognitive science value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $38,752. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Pomona College came in at #19 for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,420. Cognitive Science graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $75,954 early in their careers. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #20 for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $23,258. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #21 for value in cognitive science this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $30,996. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #22 spot for cognitive science value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,018 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $38,132. That is a strong return on a $25,018 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University earned the #23 position for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University came in at #24 for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Dartmouth College landed the #25 spot for cognitive science value this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cognitive science value ranking:
Other Cognitive Science Degree Levels
Explore the best-value cognitive science schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Cognitive Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
