2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Cognitive Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cognitive science students.
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2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cognitive science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cognitive Science Schools
University Of Minnesota Duluth tops our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $46,572. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cognitive science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,790 in tuition and fees. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $30,996 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
