by our College Data Analytics Team
[Neurosciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/neurobiology-and-neurosciences/neurosciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong neurosciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 368 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for neurosciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the neurosciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Rice University the best value for a degree in neurosciences in the United States. Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,247. Students borrow a median of $11,904 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $75,299. Set against $11,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Princeton University one of the best values for neurosciences. Set in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $32,647. Set against $10,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Princeton University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in neurosciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $32,081. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for neurosciences. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,149 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $30,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #5 place for neurosciences. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $20,488. Neurosciences graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #6 among the best values for neurosciences. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,949 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $17,562. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $26,074. That is a strong return on a $17,562 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College landed the #7 spot for neurosciences value this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $41,847. Set against $12,157 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University placed #8 among the best values for neurosciences. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #9 for value in neurosciences this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,057 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $23,464. That is a strong return on a $17,057 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #10 among the best values for neurosciences. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #11 among the best values for neurosciences. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $14,825 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $22,183. That is a strong return on a $14,825 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis landed the #12 spot for neurosciences value this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $15,012 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $30,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #13 for value in neurosciences this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $20,500. Neurosciences graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
Northern Kentucky University landed the #14 spot for neurosciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Highland Heights, Northern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,088, compared with $21,912 for out-of-state students. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $25,572 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $52,565. That is a strong return on a $25,572 median debt. Northern Kentucky University admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #15 position for value in neurosciences this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of California Davis ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $29,765. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #17 spot for neurosciences value this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $13,978 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $27,986. That is a strong return on a $13,978 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #18 position for value in neurosciences this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $18,268 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $23,468 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Harvard University placed #19 among the best values for neurosciences. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $16,616. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $46,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
West Virginia University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,772 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $51,750. Set against $23,772 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Washington State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, compared with $29,950 for out-of-state students. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $18,647 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Washington State University generally make around $28,316. Set against $18,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington earned the #22 position for value in neurosciences this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $22,945 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $25,202. That is a strong return on a $22,945 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of California Riverside ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $19,803. Neurosciences graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $19,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,803 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #24 for value in neurosciences this year. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $16,885. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $26,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,312 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in neurosciences:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Neurosciences rankings across degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 · 368 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 161 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.