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2026 Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools in California
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in science, technology & society, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in science, technology & society in California. 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. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $44,736. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Davis one of the best values for science, technology & society. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $14,404. Science, Technology & Society graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Southern California one of the best values for science, technology & society. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $75,677. That is a strong return on a $15,625 median debt. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
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 · 9 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.
ADBLOCK #116
[Science, Technology & Society](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/science-technology-and-society/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong science, technology & society education at a price that pays off.
