by our College Data Analytics Team
[Neurosciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/neurobiology-and-neurosciences/neurosciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong neurosciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value neurosciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in neurosciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in neurosciences, no school beat Florida State University this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $51,884. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for neurosciences. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $14,825 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $22,183. Set against $14,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Northern Kentucky University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Located in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,088, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #4 place for neurosciences. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes West Virginia University one of the best values for neurosciences. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $23,772. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $51,750. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
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University Of Louisville placed #6 among the best values for neurosciences. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $58,534. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky earned the #7 position for value in neurosciences this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,502 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $25,021 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Kentucky generally make around $33,030. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham came in at #8 for value in neurosciences this year. Located in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,562. Students borrow a median of $20,450 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $55,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Vanderbilt University placed #9 among the best values for neurosciences. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Students borrow a median of $15,796 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $45,745 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,796 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee earned the #10 position for value in neurosciences this year. The University Of Tennessee is a very large public school located in the city of Knoxville. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $21,138 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
George Mason University landed the #11 spot for neurosciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $23,750. Neurosciences graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $27,859 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Georgia State University landed the #12 spot for neurosciences value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $22,865. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Xavier University Of Louisiana came in at #13 for value in neurosciences this year. Xavier University Of Louisiana is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,979. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $26,777 in student loans. Neurosciences graduates of Xavier University Of Louisiana earn a median of $46,854 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
College Of William And Mary came in at #14 for value in neurosciences this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $16,378 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $34,496. Set against $16,378 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Christopher Newport University earned the #15 position for value in neurosciences this year. Set in the city of Newport News, Christopher Newport University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,828, compared with $31,178 for out-of-state students. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $25,094 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Christopher Newport University generally make around $41,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Mercer University placed #16 among the best values for neurosciences. Set in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,565. Students borrow a median of $25,424 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $56,699. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Washington And Lee University earned the #17 position for value in neurosciences this year. Located in the town of Lexington, Washington And Lee University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,045. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $20,074 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $76,810. That is a strong return on a $20,074 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #18 among the best values for neurosciences. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $29,081 early in their careers. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Auburn University landed the #19 spot for neurosciences value this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $22,803. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $55,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Emory University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $18,246. Neurosciences graduates of Emory University earn a median of $26,663 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,246 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #21 for value in neurosciences this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,472 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $54,087. Set against $24,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Rhodes College came in at #22 for value in neurosciences this year. Rhodes College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Memphis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,110. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $19,500. Neurosciences graduates of Rhodes College earn a median of $35,556 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Millsaps College came in at #23 for value in neurosciences this year. Millsaps College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jackson. Students from in state pay about $44,680 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of Millsaps College earn a median of $39,765 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Millsaps College admits about 43% of applicants.
Sewanee The University Of The South placed #24 among the best values for neurosciences. Located in the rural area of Sewanee, Sewanee The University Of The South is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,120. Students borrow a median of $22,091 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $36,927. Set against $22,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sewanee The University Of The South admits about 57% of applicants.
Wake Forest University landed the #25 spot for neurosciences value this year. Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Winston-Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,642. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Wake Forest University generally make around $67,369. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.
These schools also delivered strong value for neurosciences this year:
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This list is compiled 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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.