2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Cognitive Science bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 77 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Cognitive Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
University Of California Berkeley tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Cognitive Science bachelor's degree schools in the United States. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $13,950 in student loans. Median earnings reach $92,446 ten years out. Set against $13,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $8,055. Graduates go on to earn a median of $124,080 ten years after entry. Set against $8,055 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Stanford University
Minnesota State University Mankato came in at #3 on this year's best-value Cognitive Science ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Mankato, MN. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Minnesota State University Mankato Cognitive Science students take on a median of $25,260 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,922. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Fox University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Newberg, OR, George Fox University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $41,320. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $25,324. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Fox University has an acceptance rate of 94%. More on George Fox University
A rank of #5 makes Massachusetts Institute Of Technology one of the best values in the United States. Based in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $13,516. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $143,372. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #6 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school based in New Brunswick, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $25,018. Median earnings reach $74,479 ten years out. Set against $25,018 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Carnegie Mellon University alumni report median earnings of $114,862 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 12% of those who apply are admitted. More on Carnegie Mellon University
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. Based in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $111,371 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,660 median debt. About 5% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
University Of California Los Angeles offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. University Of California Los Angeles Cognitive Science students take on a median of $13,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $82,511. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles has an acceptance rate of 9%. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $20,542. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,742 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Indiana University Bloomington report
Rice University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,247. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $13,000. Rice University alumni report median earnings of $89,718 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%. Read more about Rice University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Troy, NY. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni report median earnings of $102,051 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%. Read more about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University Of California San Diego offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $17,481. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $84,943. That is a strong return on a $17,481 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of California San Diego profile
Yale University landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,250. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $14,357. Median earnings reach $100,533 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants. Get the full Yale University report
University Of California Davis offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. This public school is set in Davis, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,838 ten years after entry. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of California Davis report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $81,054 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Washington University In St Louis ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. Located in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Washington University In St Louis Cognitive Science students take on a median of $17,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $86,182. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report
University Of Georgia ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. University Of Georgia is a public school based in Athens, GA. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $15,750. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%. More on University Of Georgia
The University Of Texas At Dallas offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public school based in Richardson, TX. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $20,531. Median earnings reach $68,227 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. About 65% of those who apply are admitted. More on The University Of Texas At Dallas
University Of Southern California came in at #20 in this year's value ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $19,669. Median earnings reach $92,498 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,669 median debt. About 10% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Southern California profile
University Of California Irvine landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Irvine, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $16,539. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,735 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
Tufts University placed #22 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,704. Tufts University Cognitive Science students take on a median of $18,000 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $83,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tufts University has an acceptance rate of 12%. Get the full Tufts University report
University Of Richmond ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in University of Richmond, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,230. University Of Richmond Cognitive Science students take on a median of $21,634 in debt. University Of Richmond alumni report median earnings of $76,178 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 22% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Richmond
Franklin And Marshall College landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Franklin And Marshall College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lancaster, PA. Students from in state pay about $70,794 in tuition and fees. Franklin And Marshall College Cognitive Science students take on a median of $20,411 in debt. Franklin And Marshall College alumni report median earnings of $76,124 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,411 median debt. Franklin And Marshall College admits about 28% of applicants. Read the full report on Franklin And Marshall College
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $22,500. Median earnings reach $83,648 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Cognitive Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Occidental College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. Set in Los Angeles, CA, Occidental College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,274. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $22,967. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,951. That is a strong return on a $22,967 median debt. Occidental College admits about 44% of applicants. Get the full Occidental College report
University Of Delaware ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. Located in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $26,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $72,950 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%. Read more about University Of Delaware
Vassar College came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Poughkeepsie, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $71,030. Vassar College Cognitive Science students take on a median of $18,486 in debt. Median earnings reach $71,366 ten years out. Set against $18,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Vassar College has an acceptance rate of 19%. Read the full report on Vassar College
New York University came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. New York University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,796. New York University Cognitive Science students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $82,509. Set against $21,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%. More on New York University
Vanderbilt University landed the #30 spot for value in the United States this year. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $91,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 6% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #31 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Set in Santa Cruz, CA, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,396 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of California Santa Cruz
Johns Hopkins University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $87,555 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%. Get the full Johns Hopkins University report
University Of California Merced offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Set in Merced, CA, University Of California Merced is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of California Merced
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. More on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Michigan Technological University offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. See the full Michigan Technological University profile
California State University Stanislaus landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. More on California State University Stanislaus
Scripps College
Scripps College placed #37 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. More on Scripps College
Beloit College
Beloit College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Beloit College
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Kentucky offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Columbia University In The City Of New York
Cuny Lehman College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. Read the full report on Cuny Lehman College
George Mason University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on George Mason University
Suny College At Oswego offered strong value this year, earning the #44 position. Get the full Suny College At Oswego report
California State University Fresno ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. More on California State University Fresno
Pitzer College
Pitzer College landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Pitzer College
Northwestern University offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Read more about Northwestern University
Haverford College ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. More on Haverford College
Lehigh University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Lehigh University
Loyola University New Orleans placed #50 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Loyola University New Orleans
Related Cognitive Science Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Cognitive Science Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Cognitive Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cognitive Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cognitive Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Cognitive Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Cognitive Science Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Cognitive Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 77 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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