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2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the Southeast Region

[Cognitive Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value cognitive science schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the Southeast Region

2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cognitive science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Cognitive Science Schools

1

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

$11,450 In-State Tuition & Fees

$15,750 Avg Student Debt

$68,726 Median Earnings (10yr)

University Of Georgia earned the #1 spot for value among cognitive science schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, 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. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

2

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

$67,498 In-State Tuition & Fees

$13,975 Avg Student Debt

$91,565 Median Earnings (10yr)

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Vanderbilt University earned it the #2 place for cognitive science. 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. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $38,752 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

View All Cognitive Science Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.