2026 Best Science & Tech Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Science & Tech doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 7944 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed 4630 schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Science & Tech Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Massachusetts Institute Of Technology this year in the United States. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology Science & Tech students take on a median of $13,516 in debt. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Out of the 4630 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Princeton University landed the #2 spot. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Read more about Princeton University
Stanford University came in at #3 on this year's Science & Tech ranking in the United States. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit school based in Stanford, CA. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Stanford University profile
The strong Science & Tech programs at Rice University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Rice University
You'll be in good company at University Of Management And Technology, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Arlington, VA, University Of Management And Technology is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,450. Read the full report on University Of Management And Technology
Northwestern University landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Evanston, IL. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $16,616. Read more about Northwestern University
Harvard University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. Roughly 98% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Read the full report on Harvard University
Carnegie Mellon University did well this year, earning the #8 position. Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit school based in Pittsburgh, PA. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Brown University did well this year, earning the #9 position. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Read the full report on Brown University
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Science & Tech students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. Read more about University Of Pennsylvania
Vanderbilt University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Vanderbilt University Science & Tech students take on a median of $13,975 in debt. See the full Vanderbilt University profile
University Of Virginia Main Campus came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. University Of Virginia Main Campus graduates 96% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $18,627. Read more about University Of Virginia Main Campus
Georgetown University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. Georgetown University graduates 95% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Georgetown University Science & Tech students take on a median of $16,483 in debt. See the full Georgetown University profile
Cuny Graduate School And University Center landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Cuny Graduate School And University Center Science & Tech students take on a median of $17,921 in debt. Read the full report on Cuny Graduate School And University Center
Texas Christian University placed #15 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. Based in Fort Worth, TX, Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution. Texas Christian University graduates 85% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Texas Christian University Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,960 in debt. See the full Texas Christian University profile
University Of Chicago ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. University Of Chicago Science & Tech students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. Get the full University Of Chicago report
Dartmouth College did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Read more about Dartmouth College
Claremont Graduate University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in Claremont, CA, Claremont Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. Read more about Claremont Graduate University
Cornell University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Located in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $15,005. Get the full Cornell University report
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Atlanta, GA, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. The median Science & Tech program debt is $24,323. Read the full report on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Union Institute And University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Students borrow a median of $29,265 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Union Institute And University profile
University Of California Berkeley placed #22 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Duke University landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Duke University is a private not-for-profit school based in Durham, NC. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,758. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $13,296. Read the full report on Duke University
University Of Notre Dame came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in Notre Dame, IN, University Of Notre Dame is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Notre Dame graduates 95% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,025. University Of Notre Dame Science & Tech students take on a median of $19,891 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Notre Dame
Concordia University Irvine ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Irvine, CA. About 58% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $43,480. Concordia University Irvine Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,085 in debt. More on Concordia University Irvine
Rest of the Top 50 Best Science & Tech Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Mount Marty College did well this year, earning the #26 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Yankton, SD. The six-year graduation rate is 52%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $27,000. More on Mount Marty College
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Scottsdale, AZ, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,627, while out-of-state students pay about $13,925. Graduates carry a median of $23,742 in student loans. Read the full report on Arizona State University Skysong
Centenary College did well this year, earning the #28 position. Based in Hackettstown, NJ, Centenary College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 55% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,732. The median Science & Tech program debt is $25,081. Read the full report on Centenary College
Teachers College At Columbia University placed #29 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Get the full Teachers College At Columbia University report
University Of Puget Sound ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit school based in Tacoma, WA. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,898. The median Science & Tech program debt is $25,287. See the full University Of Puget Sound profile
Yale University came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Based in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Yale University Science & Tech students take on a median of $14,357 in debt. Read the full report on Yale University
Fielding Graduate University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Santa Barbara, CA, Fielding Graduate University is a private not-for-profit institution. More on Fielding Graduate University
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus Science & Tech students take on a median of $16,151 in debt. Get the full University Of Washington Tacoma Campus report
Point Loma Nazarene University came in at #34 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in San Diego, CA. Point Loma Nazarene University posts a six-year graduation rate of 77%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $46,250. Point Loma Nazarene University Science & Tech students take on a median of $22,542 in debt. Read more about Point Loma Nazarene University
Lehigh University landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Based in Bethlehem, PA, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,980. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Lehigh University
The Masters College And Seminary landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. Located in Santa Clarita, CA, The Masters College And Seminary is a private not-for-profit institution. About 67% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,020. Students borrow a median of $22,089 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on The Masters College And Seminary
University Of West Georgia ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. University Of West Georgia is a public school based in Carrollton, GA. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $26,789. More on University Of West Georgia
Gwynedd Mercy College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Gwynedd Valley, PA. About 65% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,838. The median Science & Tech program debt is $29,764. Get the full Gwynedd Mercy College report
University Of St Francis came in at #39 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Joliet, IL. University Of St Francis graduates 67% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $38,110 in tuition and fees. University Of St Francis Science & Tech students take on a median of $25,695 in debt. More on University Of St Francis
University Of Southern California came in at #40 in this year's ranking. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on University Of Southern California
Wilkes University did well this year, earning the #41 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Read the full report on Wilkes University
Thomas Jefferson University came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit institution. Thomas Jefferson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Students borrow a median of $32,256 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full Thomas Jefferson University report
Colorado School Of Mines placed #43 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Colorado School Of Mines graduates 82% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. The median Science & Tech program debt is $24,521. Read the full report on Colorado School Of Mines
Touro University Worldwide did well this year, earning the #44 position. Based in Los Alamitos, CA, Touro University Worldwide is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 29%. Students from in state pay about $14,640 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $32,289 in student loans. Read the full report on Touro University Worldwide
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #45 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $21,275. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
University Of Scranton did well this year, earning the #46 position. University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit school based in Scranton, PA. University Of Scranton graduates 80% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,777. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full University Of Scranton profile
New England Institute Of Technology ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. New England Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in East Greenwich, RI. Students from in state pay about $37,275 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $24,586. More on New England Institute Of Technology
Saint Ambrose University ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Davenport, IA, Saint Ambrose University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $36,658 in tuition and fees. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $27,528. See the full Saint Ambrose University profile
Ithaca College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in Ithaca, NY, Ithaca College is a private not-for-profit institution. Ithaca College graduates 76% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $52,616. Graduates carry a median of $24,517 in student loans. Read more about Ithaca College
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor Science & Tech students take on a median of $19,137 in debt. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
Related Science & Tech Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Science & Tech Schools (All Levels)
- Best Science & Tech Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Science & Tech Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Science & Tech Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Science & Tech Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Science & Tech Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation · 4630 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 7944 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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