2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools

#1

University Of Memphis

Memphis, TN

University Of Memphis earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. University Of Memphis is a public school based in Memphis, TN. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. University Of Memphis alumni report median earnings of $48,458 a decade after entry. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants. More on University Of Memphis

#2

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY

A rank of #2 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Stony Brook, NY. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Median earnings reach $74,502 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%. See the full Stony Brook University profile

#3

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Mason University earned it the #3 place in the United States. George Mason University is a public school based in Fairfax, VA. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $76,343 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,529 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%. See the full George Mason University profile

#4

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI

A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values in the United States. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Cognitive Science students take on a median of $22,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $83,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

#5

University Of Kentucky

Lexington, KY

University Of Kentucky came in at #5 on this year's best-value Cognitive Science ranking in the United States. Set in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,502, with out-of-state students paying around $34,140. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $24,094. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $59,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Kentucky has an acceptance rate of 93%. More on University Of Kentucky

#6

University Of Minnesota Duluth

University Of Minnesota Duluth came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Duluth

#7

Brown University

Brown University came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. More on Brown University

#8

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. More on Vanderbilt University

#9

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. More on Johns Hopkins University

#10

California State University Stanislaus

California State University Stanislaus placed #10 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. See the full California State University Stanislaus profile

#11

Curry College

Curry College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. More on Curry College

#12

Occidental College

Occidental College offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Read the full report on Occidental College

#13

University At Buffalo

University At Buffalo placed #13 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read more about University At Buffalo

#14

California State University Fresno

California State University Fresno came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on California State University Fresno

#15

Minnesota State University Mankato

Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Mankato

#16

University Of California Berkeley

University Of California Berkeley landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of California Berkeley profile

#17

The University Of Texas At Dallas

The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. More on The University Of Texas At Dallas

#18

University Of Delaware

University Of Delaware ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. Get the full University Of Delaware report

#19

Tufts University

Tufts University landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Tufts University report

#20

Yale University

Yale University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. Read more about Yale University

#21

Pomona College

Pomona College landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Pomona College

#22

Hampshire College

Hampshire College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. Read the full report on Hampshire College

#23

University Of Georgia

University Of Georgia ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. Read more about University Of Georgia

#24

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report

#25

Columbia University In The City Of New York

Columbia University In The City Of New York offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York

#26

University Of Pennsylvania

University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report

#27

University Of Colorado Boulder

University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Colorado Boulder

#28

New York University

New York University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about New York University

#29

Lehigh University

Lehigh University offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full Lehigh University report

#30

University Of California Irvine

University Of California Irvine came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of California Irvine profile

#31

University Of California Los Angeles

University Of California Los Angeles offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles

#32

University Of Richmond

University Of Richmond offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. See the full University Of Richmond profile

#33

University Of California Merced

University Of California Merced landed the #33 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of California Merced

#34

Beloit College

Beloit College came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. See the full Beloit College profile

#35

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read the full report on Swarthmore College

#36

Loyola University New Orleans

Loyola University New Orleans offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full Loyola University New Orleans report

#37

Washington University In St Louis

Washington University In St Louis landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Washington University In St Louis report

#38

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Dartmouth College report

#39

University Of California Davis

University Of California Davis came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of California Davis

#40

University Of Massachusetts Amherst

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #40 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Amherst

#41

University Of California Santa Cruz

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of California Santa Cruz

#42

Scripps College

Scripps College placed #42 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. See the full Scripps College profile

#43

Rutgers University New Brunswick

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick

#44

Arizona State University

Arizona State University placed #44 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. See the full Arizona State University profile

#45

Pitzer College

Pitzer College ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. See the full Pitzer College profile

#46

Emory University

Emory University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. Read the full report on Emory University

#47

Franklin And Marshall College

Franklin And Marshall College landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Franklin And Marshall College

#48

George Fox University

George Fox University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full George Fox University report

#49

Barnard College

Barnard College placed #49 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. See the full Barnard College profile

#50

Henderson State University

Henderson State University came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Henderson State University report