2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for cognitive science in the United States. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $8,055 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $105,695 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,055 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.

2

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for cognitive science. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,481 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $39,839 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

3

Rice University
Houston, TX

A rank of #3 makes Rice University one of the best values for cognitive science. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.

4

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #4 place 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. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $13,950 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $64,559 early in their careers. Set against $13,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #5 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for cognitive science. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $53,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.

6

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $50,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

7

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis landed the #7 spot for cognitive science value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $42,342. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia placed #8 among the best values for cognitive science. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $41,362. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

10

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $44,698 early in their careers. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $32,419. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

12

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #12 among the best values for cognitive science. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $42,602. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

13

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #13 among the best values for cognitive science. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $44,752 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware landed the #14 spot for cognitive science value this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $54,155. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #15 among the best values for cognitive science. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the cognitive science program here. 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 came in at #16 for value in cognitive science this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $24,624. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $46,572. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.

17

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #17 spot for cognitive science value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $38,752. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

18

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned the #18 position for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,420. Cognitive Science graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $75,954 early in their careers. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.

20

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #20 for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $23,258. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

21

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Washington University In St Louis came in at #21 for value in cognitive science this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $17,500. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $30,996. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 12%.

22

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #22 spot for cognitive science value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Students borrow a median of $25,018 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $38,132. That is a strong return on a $25,018 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

23

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University earned the #23 position for value in cognitive science 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. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the cognitive science program here. 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. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

24

Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University came in at #24 for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $74,578. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

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. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Set against $16,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.