2026 Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the best value science, technology & society schools in the United States. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $44,736. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $15,636. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $65,932. That is a strong return on a $15,636 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

3

Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY

Students looking for strong value in science, technology & society will find it at Farmingdale State College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $18,006 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $31,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

4

Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ

Arizona State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $39,993 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

5

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Madison earned it the #5 place for science, technology & society. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $21,813 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $59,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.

6

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Science, Technology & Society graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.

7

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #7 for value in science, technology & society this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $24,125. 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%.

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #8 position for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $24,000. Science, Technology & Society graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

9

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University landed the #9 spot for science, technology & society value this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

10

Le Moyne College
Syracuse, NY

Le Moyne College landed the #10 spot for science, technology & society value this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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.

11

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #11 for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $54,235. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.

12

Colby College
Waterville, ME

Colby College earned the #12 position for value in science, technology & society this year. Set in the town of Waterville, Colby College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $22,016. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $46,772. That is a strong return on a $22,016 median debt. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.

13

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University landed the #13 spot for science, technology & society value 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 science, technology & society program here. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Brown University earn a median of $166,469 early in their careers. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.

14

Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT

Wesleyan University earned the #14 position for value in science, technology & society this year. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the science, technology & society program here. 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. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.

15

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

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. In-state tuition and fees average $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. The acceptance rate is 10%.

16

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for science, technology & society. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

17

Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College placed #17 among the best values for science, technology & society. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $18,593 in student loans. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $27,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants.