2026 Best Value Cognitive Science Master’s Degree Schools

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

For return on investment, no school beat Stanford University this year in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $8,055. Median earnings reach $124,080 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,055 median debt. About 4% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Stanford University

#2

The University Of Texas At Dallas

Richardson, TX

You'll get strong value at The University Of Texas At Dallas, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $68,227 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Dallas

#3

University Of California San Diego

La Jolla, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values in the United States. 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. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $17,481. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $84,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants. Get the full University Of California San Diego report

#4

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

Cambridge, MA

Out of the 77 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #4 spot. Based in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $13,516. A decade after starting, 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

#5

University Of California Irvine

Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine came in at #5 on this year's best-value Cognitive Science ranking in the United States. Set in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. University Of California Irvine alumni report median earnings of $80,735 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 29% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of California Irvine

#6

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,078. Graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,051. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

#7

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $21,577. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities alumni report median earnings of $69,020 a decade after entry. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities has an acceptance rate of 80%. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report

#8

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University placed #8 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Johns Hopkins University Cognitive Science students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. Median earnings reach $87,555 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted. More on Johns Hopkins University

#9

University Of California Merced

Merced, CA

University Of California Merced placed #9 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Based in Merced, CA, University Of California Merced is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,368. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Merced has an acceptance rate of 90%. More on University Of California Merced

#10

University Of California Los Angeles

University Of California Los Angeles placed #10 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Get the full University Of California Los Angeles report

#11

Beloit College

Beloit College landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Beloit College

#12

Marquette University

Marquette University came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Marquette University

#13

University Of Iowa

University Of Iowa offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. More on University Of Iowa

#14

Rice University

Rice University placed #14 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. See the full Rice University profile

#15

University Of Kentucky

University Of Kentucky offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Get the full University Of Kentucky report

#16

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #16 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

#17

Northwestern University

Northwestern University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. Read more about Northwestern University

#18

Minnesota State University Mankato

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #18 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Minnesota State University Mankato

#19

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University placed #19 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read more about Vanderbilt University

#20

University Of Delaware

University Of Delaware landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Delaware

#21

Dartmouth College

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

#22

University Of Minnesota Duluth

University Of Minnesota Duluth offered strong value this year, earning the #22 position. See the full University Of Minnesota Duluth profile

#23

Scripps College

Scripps College placed #23 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. More on Scripps College

#24

Carleton College

Carleton College came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Carleton College report

#25

Curry College

Curry College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Read more about Curry College

#26

Suny College At Oswego

Suny College At Oswego placed #26 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Get the full Suny College At Oswego report

#27

University Of Georgia

University Of Georgia came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Georgia profile

#28

Vassar College

Vassar College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about Vassar College

#29

University Of Pennsylvania

University Of Pennsylvania landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Pennsylvania

#30

George Fox University

George Fox University placed #30 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read more about George Fox University

#31

University Of California Berkeley

University Of California Berkeley landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of California Berkeley

#32

Brown University

Brown University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. See the full Brown University profile

#33

Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College placed #33 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. More on Swarthmore College

#34

Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University placed #34 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Get the full Case Western Reserve University report

#35

University Of Evansville

University Of Evansville placed #35 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. See the full University Of Evansville profile

#36

Hampshire College

Hampshire College came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Hampshire College

#37

Haverford College

Haverford College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. See the full Haverford College profile

#38

Indiana University Bloomington

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile

#39

Duke University

Duke University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. More on Duke University

#40

Tufts University

Tufts University came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Tufts University report

#41

Cornell University

Cornell University placed #41 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Cornell University

#42

Emory University

Emory University placed #42 among the best-value Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Emory University

#43

Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Cognitive Science schools. More on Carnegie Mellon University

#44

Washington University In St Louis

Washington University In St Louis landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Washington University In St Louis

#45

Occidental College

Occidental College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Occidental College profile

#46

Pitzer College

Pitzer College came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. More on Pitzer College

#47

Yale University

Yale University landed the #47 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Yale University

#48

University Of California Santa Cruz

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of California Santa Cruz profile

#49

University Of California Davis

University Of California Davis landed the #49 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of California Davis

#50

Arizona State University

Arizona State University landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Arizona State University