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2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the Southwest Region

[Cognitive Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 3 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cognitive science students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the Southwest Region

2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the Southwest Region

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

Best Value Cognitive Science Schools

1

Rice University
Houston, TX

$61,247 In-State Tuition & Fees

$13,000 Avg Student Debt

$89,718 Median Earnings (10yr)

Our analysis ranked Rice University the best value for a degree in cognitive science in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of Rice University earn a median of $47,459 early in their careers. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

2

The University Of Texas At Dallas
Richardson, TX

$14,644 In-State Tuition & Fees

$20,531 Avg Student Debt

$68,227 Median Earnings (10yr)

The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #2 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, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $44,752. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.

View All Cognitive Science Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 3 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.