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2023 Best Value Colleges for Science, Technology & Society (Income $30-$48k)

21 Ranked Colleges
1,095 Degrees Awarded
$12,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Science, Technology & Society is the 232nd most popular major in the country with 1,095 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, science, technology and society graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $41,177 and had an average of $22,529 in loans still to pay off.

This year’s “Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in science, technology and society. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent science, technology and society programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the science, technology and society program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Science, Technology & Society Schools

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Science, Technology & Society (Income $30-$48k)

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford University is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 63 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford is $1,581 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Stanford

2
Colby crest
Colby College
Waterville, Maine

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Colby College landed the #2 spot on the list. This small school is located in Waterville, Maine, and it awarded 13 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

Colby not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. It costs about $2,361 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Colby College.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Colby

3
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Georgetown University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Georgetown is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 132 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgetown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Georgetown is $9,871 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full Georgetown Science, Technology & Society Report

4
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Tufts University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Medford, Massachusetts, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified ’s science, tech and society students in 2020-2021.

Tufts also made our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend Tufts is $7,987 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Tufts Science, Technology & Society Report

5
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Vanderbilt University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 18 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $4,652 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Vanderbilt University Science, Technology & Society Report

6
Vassar crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, New York

Vassar College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vassar, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vassar is $13,193 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Vassar

7
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Carnegie Mellon University is a fairly large school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 4 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k list, Carnegie Mellon has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,608 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Carnegie Mellon University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Carnegie Mellon

8

With a ranking of #8, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Arizona State University - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

ASU - Tempe also took the #11 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $10,628 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Arizona State University - Tempe

9

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

UC Davis also took the #12 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $11,598 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Davis.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at UC Davis

10
SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale crest
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, New York

Farmingdale State College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale is a medium-sized public school situated in Farmingdale, New York. It awarded 293 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale also took the #19 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale is $6,411 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Farmingdale State College

11
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 58 degrees to qualified ’s science, tech and society students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k list, NC State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $9,448 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at NC State

12

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is a large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 59 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k list, Georgia Tech has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus is $11,712 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

13
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

With a ranking of #13, George Mason University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fairfax, Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s science, tech and society degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k list, GMU has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $15,979 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend GMU.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full GMU Science, Technology & Society Report

14
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. This large school is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and it awarded 93 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU also made our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $14,985 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend James Madison University.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at James Madison University

15

With a ranking of #15, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s science, tech and society degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $12,992 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Cal Poly Pomona

16

With a ranking of #16, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. RPI is located in Troy, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

RPI also made our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend RPI is $20,738 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

17
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s science, tech and society degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k list, Michigan State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $15,170 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Michigan State University

18

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Oklahoma is a public institution located in Norman, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Oklahoma, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Oklahoma is $16,846 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at University of Oklahoma

19

University of Washington - Bothell Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW Bothell is a medium-sized public school situated in Bothell, Washington. It awarded 10 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

UW Bothell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Bothell Campus is $6,966 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at UW Bothell

20
WPI crest
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. WPI is a private not-for-profit institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WPI also took the #13 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $33,976 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend WPI.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

21
Puget Sound crest
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, Washington

With a ranking of #21, University of Puget Sound did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Puget Sound is a small school located in Tacoma, Washington that handed out 6 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Puget Sound, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Puget Sound is $24,158 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Puget Sound

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Notes and References

References

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