by our College Data Analytics Team
[Neurosciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/neurobiology-and-neurosciences/neurosciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools to find the best return on investment for neurosciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in neurosciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Harvard University the best value for a degree in neurosciences in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $16,616. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $46,993. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #2 makes Amherst College one of the best values for neurosciences. Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $70,480 in tuition and fees. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $15,398 in student loans. Neurosciences graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $38,387 early in their careers. Set against $15,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Amherst College admits about 9% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in neurosciences will find it at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #3. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $48,125. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wellesley College earned it the #4 place for neurosciences. Wellesley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Wellesley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,176. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $8,300. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $44,687. That is a strong return on a $8,300 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Smith College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in neurosciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $36,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
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Boston University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $39,093. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Mount Holyoke College came in at #7 for value in neurosciences this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. In-state tuition and fees average $67,018. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $24,875. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $35,038. That is a strong return on a $24,875 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Stonehill College came in at #8 for value in neurosciences this year. Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,370. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Stonehill College generally make around $45,704. That is a strong return on a $23,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Wheaton College Massachusetts landed the #9 spot for neurosciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Norton, Wheaton College Massachusetts is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,960. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $27,000. Neurosciences graduates of Wheaton College Massachusetts earn a median of $39,842 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Northeastern University landed the #10 spot for neurosciences value this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $43,894. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Brandeis University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Waltham. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Students borrow a median of $26,499 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Brandeis University generally make around $32,397. That is a strong return on a $26,499 median debt. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
College Of The Holy Cross landed the #12 spot for neurosciences value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,500. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $26,387. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $51,478. Set against $26,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
Boston College placed #13 among the best values for neurosciences. Boston College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chestnut Hill. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $66,132. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.