2026 Best Science & Tech Master’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Science & Tech master’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 7944 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh 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 Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Leading the list is Keck Graduate Institute, our #1 Science & Tech school in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. Graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Read the full report on Keck Graduate Institute
You'll be in good company at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2 this year. Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Stanford University came in at #3 on this year's Science & Tech ranking in the United States. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. The median Science & Tech program debt is $10,492. See the full Stanford University profile
A rank of #4 makes Rice University one of the top choices in the United States. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school based in Houston, TX. Rice University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Rice University
A rank of #5 makes Princeton University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Princeton, NJ, Princeton University is a private not-for-profit institution. Princeton University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Princeton University Science & Tech students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. Read the full report on Princeton University
Dartmouth College did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Hanover, NH, Dartmouth College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,019. Graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. See the full Dartmouth College profile
Duke University came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Set in Durham, NC, Duke University is a private not-for-profit institution. Duke University posts a six-year graduation rate of 97%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,758. Graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. Read more about Duke University
Northwestern University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,322 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. See the full Northwestern University profile
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #9 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. Set 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 run about $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. The median Science & Tech program debt is $24,323. Read the full report on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of Notre Dame placed #10 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Notre Dame, IN. University Of Notre Dame posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,025. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $19,891. More on University Of Notre Dame
University Of Chicago placed #11 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. The median Science & Tech program debt is $15,854. Read the full report on University Of Chicago
Cornell University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read the full report on Cornell University
Carnegie Mellon University landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,636. The median Science & Tech program debt is $23,529. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
Brown University placed #14 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. Based in Providence, RI, Brown University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,312. The median Science & Tech program debt is $13,025. See the full Brown University profile
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,686. University Of Pennsylvania Science & Tech students take on a median of $16,155 in debt. See the full University Of Pennsylvania profile
Teachers College At Columbia University placed #16 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. Set in New York, NY, Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit institution. Get the full Teachers College At Columbia University report
University Of California Berkeley came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
Santa Clara University ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Santa Clara, CA, Santa Clara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,293. Graduates carry a median of $20,144 in student loans. Read more about Santa Clara University
Georgetown University landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. Set in Washington, DC, Georgetown University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on Georgetown University
University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,627 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full University Of Virginia Main Campus profile
Vanderbilt University placed #21 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. Set in Nashville, TN, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full Vanderbilt University report
Yale University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Set in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $14,357. See the full Yale University profile
Johns Hopkins University came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. More on Johns Hopkins University
Harvard University did well this year, earning the #24 position. Located in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,676. Harvard University Science & Tech students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read the full report on Harvard University
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $16,097. More on University Of California Los Angeles
Rest of the Top 50 Best Science & Tech Master’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Located in Tacoma, WA, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Students borrow a median of $16,151 to complete their Science & Tech program here. More on University Of Washington Tacoma Campus
Kettering University placed #27 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Flint, MI. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $46,425. Kettering University Science & Tech students take on a median of $28,913 in debt. See the full Kettering University profile
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $21,275. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #29 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. Set in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $15,117. More on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Puget Sound placed #30 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. Based in Tacoma, WA, University Of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Puget Sound graduates 68% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,898. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $25,287. More on University Of Puget Sound
Villanova University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Set in Villanova, PA, Villanova University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,776. Villanova University Science & Tech students take on a median of $26,184 in debt. Read the full report on Villanova University
Tufts University did well this year, earning the #32 position. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school based in Medford, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,704. Graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. More on Tufts University
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign Science & Tech students take on a median of $20,778 in debt. More on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
The College Of New Jersey ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. The College Of New Jersey is a public school based in Ewing, NJ. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,632, with out-of-state students paying around $25,752. The median Science & Tech program debt is $24,429. Read more about The College Of New Jersey
Wake Forest University placed #35 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Winston-Salem, NC. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,642. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $21,577. More on Wake Forest University
Elizabethtown College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. Elizabethtown College is a private not-for-profit school based in Elizabethtown, PA. Elizabethtown College posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $37,950. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,599. More on Elizabethtown College
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Emory University landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. Emory University graduates 91% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Emory University profile
Lehigh University placed #39 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Bethlehem, PA. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,980. The median Science & Tech program debt is $23,008. See the full Lehigh University profile
University Of St Thomas Minnesota did well this year, earning the #40 position. University Of St Thomas Minnesota is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Paul, MN. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $54,398. University Of St Thomas Minnesota Science & Tech students take on a median of $23,923 in debt. Read the full report on University Of St Thomas Minnesota
University Of Southern California did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. University Of Southern California Science & Tech students take on a median of $15,625 in debt. Read more about University Of Southern California
Wisconsin Lutheran College did well this year, earning the #42 position. Located in Milwaukee, WI, Wisconsin Lutheran College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,110. The median Science & Tech program debt is $26,916. Read more about Wisconsin Lutheran College
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #43 spot in the United States this year. Set in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Typical Science & Tech student debt is $23,393. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Washington University In St Louis came in at #44 in this year's ranking. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete their Science & Tech program here. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
Mount Marty College placed #45 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Yankton, SD. Mount Marty College graduates 52% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,600. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Science & Tech program here. Get the full Mount Marty College report
Drake University did well this year, earning the #46 position. Located in Des Moines, IA, Drake University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 73% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $51,960 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $22,273 in student loans. More on Drake University
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #47 among Science & Tech schools in the United States. This public school is set in Seattle, WA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans. See the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus profile
Claremont Graduate University did well this year, earning the #48 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Claremont, CA. See the full Claremont Graduate University profile
Trinity University did well this year, earning the #49 position. Based in San Antonio, TX, Trinity University is a private not-for-profit institution. Trinity University graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,676 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,314 in student loans. Read the full report on Trinity University
Cuny Graduate School And University Center ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Science & Tech schools. This public school is set in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,235, compared with $15,185 for out-of-state students. Cuny Graduate School And University Center Science & Tech students take on a median of $17,921 in debt. Get the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center report
Related Science & Tech Rankings
See rankings for 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 Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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).