[Science, Technology & Society](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/science-technology-and-society/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 68 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for science, technology & society students.
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Finding the Best Value Science, Technology & Society School for You
The science, technology & society program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for science, technology & society in the United States. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $10,492. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in science, technology & society will find it at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #2. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $15,636 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $65,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Farmingdale State College one of the best values for science, technology & society. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $18,006 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $31,638 early in their careers. Set against $18,006 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
A rank of #4 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for science, technology & society. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $15,000. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $39,993. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great value for students pursuing a degree in science, technology & society, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $21,813. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $59,877. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of California Davis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in science, technology & society this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $40,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Science, Technology & Society graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,150 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University placed #9 among the best values for science, technology & society. 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 science, technology & society program here. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
Le Moyne College came in at #10 for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,330. Students borrow a median of $25,739 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Le Moyne College earn a median of $57,229 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $54,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Colby College landed the #12 spot for science, technology & society value this year. Located in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,600. Students borrow a median of $22,016 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Colby College generally make around $46,772. Set against $22,016 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University came in at #13 for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,312. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $13,025. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $166,469. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
Wesleyan University came in at #14 for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $16,125. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern California placed #15 among the best values for science, technology & society. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Science, Technology & Society graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for science, technology & society value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Vassar College came in at #17 for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,030. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $18,593. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $27,215 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants.
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 · 68 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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).
[Science, Technology & Society](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/science-technology-and-society/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
