2026 Best Value Science Technology And Society Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Science Technology And Society bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 68 schools 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.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Science Technology And Society Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best-value Science Technology And Society school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Stanford University Science Technology And Society students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Stanford University alumni report median earnings of $124,080 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%. More on Stanford University
Out of the 68 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, James Madison University landed the #2 spot. This public school is set in Harrisonburg, VA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, with out-of-state students paying around $31,312. Typical Science Technology And Society student debt is $23,875. James Madison University alumni report median earnings of $69,954 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. James Madison University has an acceptance rate of 72%. Get the full James Madison University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Farmingdale State College earned it the #2 place in the United States. This public school is set in Farmingdale, NY. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. The median Science Technology And Society program debt is $18,006. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,781 ten years after entry. Set against $18,006 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants. Read the full report on Farmingdale State College
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #4 on this year's best-value Science Technology And Society ranking in the United States. Set in Pomona, CA, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical Science Technology And Society student debt is $17,226. California State Polytechnic University Pomona alumni report median earnings of $71,902 a decade after entry. Set against $17,226 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants. Read more about California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Out of the 68 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Raleigh, NC. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $24,000 to complete their Science Technology And Society program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,758. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
You'll get strong value at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, which ranked #5 this year. Set in Norman, OK, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Graduates carry a median of $23,138 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete their Science Technology And Society program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $143,372. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants. Read more about Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Carnegie Mellon University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. The median Science Technology And Society program debt is $23,529. 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. The acceptance rate is 12%. More on Carnegie Mellon University
Georgetown University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,089. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete their Science Technology And Society program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $103,494. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Georgetown University
Arizona State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science Technology And Society schools. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical Science Technology And Society student debt is $15,000. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%. More on Arizona State University
Worcester Polytechnic Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Located in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Worcester Polytechnic Institute Science Technology And Society students take on a median of $26,259 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $103,470. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. See the full Worcester Polytechnic Institute profile
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,078. Students borrow a median of $24,975 to complete their Science Technology And Society program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,051. That is a strong return on a $24,975 median debt. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has an acceptance rate of 64%. Read more about Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science Technology And Society schools. Based in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical Science Technology And Society student debt is $24,125. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $102,772. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted. See the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus profile
University Of California Davis placed #14 among the best-value Science Technology And Society schools in the United States. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $80,838. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. University Of California Davis has an acceptance rate of 42%. Read more about University Of California Davis
Colby College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science Technology And Society schools. Based in Waterville, ME, Colby College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,600. Graduates carry a median of $22,016 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,490 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colby College has an acceptance rate of 7%. Read more about Colby College
Tufts University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science Technology And Society schools. Set in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete their Science Technology And Society program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,214 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Tufts University has an acceptance rate of 12%. See the full Tufts University profile
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Bothell, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. The median Science Technology And Society program debt is $15,636. University Of Washington Bothell Campus alumni report median earnings of $78,466 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Washington Bothell Campus report
Vassar College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Poughkeepsie, NY. Students from in state pay about $71,030 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $18,593 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,366 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,593 median debt. Vassar College has an acceptance rate of 19%. Read the full report on Vassar College
Michigan State University landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. The median Science Technology And Society program debt is $25,213. Graduates go on to earn a median of $67,253 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. See the full Michigan State University profile
Vanderbilt University placed #20 among the best-value Science Technology And Society schools in the United States. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical Science Technology And Society student debt is $13,975. Graduates go on to earn a median of $91,565 ten years after entry. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 6% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
University Of Puget Sound ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science Technology And Society schools. Based in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,898. The median Science Technology And Society program debt is $25,287. Median earnings reach $69,594 ten years out. Set against $25,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Puget Sound
Beloit College
Beloit College came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Beloit College
Suffolk University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Get the full Suffolk University report
University Of Chicago came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Chicago
Pitzer College
Pitzer College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science Technology And Society schools. Read more about Pitzer College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Science Technology And Society Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Pennsylvania State University World Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Get the full Pennsylvania State University World Campus report
Cornell University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science Technology And Society schools. See the full Cornell University profile
Itawamba Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about Itawamba Community College
St Johns University New York ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science Technology And Society schools. Read more about St Johns University New York
University Of Denver placed #30 among the best-value Science Technology And Society schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Denver
Coahoma Community College placed #31 among the best-value Science Technology And Society schools in the United States. Read the full report on Coahoma Community College
University Of North Georgia placed #32 among the best-value Science Technology And Society schools in the United States. Read more about University Of North Georgia
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. See the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus profile
George Mason University placed #34 among the best-value Science Technology And Society schools in the United States. Get the full George Mason University report
University Of Maine ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science Technology And Society schools. Read the full report on University Of Maine
Pomona College
Pomona College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science Technology And Society schools. Read more about Pomona College
Central Wyoming College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Central Wyoming College
Brown University
Brown University placed #38 among the best-value Science Technology And Society schools in the United States. More on Brown University
Texas Tech University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
University Of Alabama At Birmingham placed #40 among the best-value Science Technology And Society schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Alabama At Birmingham
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
Northwestern University ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Science Technology And Society schools. More on Northwestern University
Washburn University offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. Read the full report on Washburn University
Tennessee Technological University placed #44 among the best-value Science Technology And Society schools in the United States. Get the full Tennessee Technological University report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Drexel University offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Drexel University report
Southeastern Louisiana University placed #47 among the best-value Science Technology And Society schools in the United States. More on Southeastern Louisiana University
San Francisco State University offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. Get the full San Francisco State University report
University Of Southern California placed #49 among the best-value Science Technology And Society schools in the United States. See the full University Of Southern California profile
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of New Hampshire Main Campus profile
Related Science Technology And Society Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Science Technology And Society Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Science Technology And Society Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Science Technology And Society Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Science Technology And Society Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Science Technology And Society Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Science Technology And Society Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Science Technology And Society Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 68 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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