2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for cognitive science in the United States. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $8,055 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $105,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cognitive science, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,481 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $39,839. Set against $17,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

3

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $47,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the best values for cognitive science. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,950 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $64,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cognitive science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $53,962 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #6 spot for cognitive science value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $16,539. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

7

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis placed #7 among the best values for cognitive science. 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 cognitive science graduates is $15,000. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $42,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia earned the #8 position for value in cognitive science this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $41,362 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #9 position for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $20,778. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

10

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #10 spot for cognitive science value this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $44,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.

11

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $32,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #12 position for value in cognitive science this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $42,602 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

13

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $44,752. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. The acceptance rate is 65%.

14

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware earned the #14 position for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #15 spot for cognitive science value this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $35,384. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

16

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #16 among the best values for cognitive science. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. In-state tuition and fees average $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $46,572 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

17

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #17 spot for cognitive science value this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $38,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

18

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

19

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College came in at #19 for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,420. Cognitive Science graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $75,954 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 7%.

20

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #20 spot for cognitive science value this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

21

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis placed #21 among the best values for cognitive science. 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. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $30,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.

22

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #22 position for value in cognitive science this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $25,018 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $38,132. Set against $25,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

23

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University placed #23 among the best values for cognitive science. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $13,025. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.

24

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #24 among the best values for cognitive science. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.

25

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College landed the #25 spot for cognitive science value this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. That is a strong return on a $16,989 median debt. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.