2026 Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the science, technology & society degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools
For return on investment in science, technology & society, no school beat Stanford University this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in science, technology & society, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $15,636. Science, Technology & Society graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $65,932 early in their careers. Set against $15,636 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Farmingdale State College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $18,006 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $31,638 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Davis one of the best values for science, technology & society. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $14,404. Science, Technology & Society graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for science, technology & society. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $40,297. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #6 among the best values for science, technology & society. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $24,000. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $43,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University placed #7 among the best values for science, technology & society. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $54,235. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Colby College came in at #9 for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,600. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $22,016 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colby College admits about 7% of applicants.
Brown University landed the #10 spot for science, technology & society value 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. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $13,025. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Brown University earn a median of $166,469 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Wesleyan University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $70,042 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $16,125. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Vassar College earned the #13 position for value in science, technology & society this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,030. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $18,593 in student loans. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $27,215. Set against $18,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants.
Other Science, Technology & Society Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Science, Technology & Society rankings across degree levels:
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
[Science, Technology & Society](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/science-technology-and-society/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
