2026 Best Value Neurosciences Schools in the Far Western Region
[Neurosciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/neurobiology-and-neurosciences/neurosciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 33 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for neurosciences students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Neurosciences Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in neurosciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Neurosciences Schools
Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for neurosciences. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $32,081 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in neurosciences will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $17,057. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $23,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Students looking for strong value in neurosciences will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $21,818. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for neurosciences. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $17,149 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $30,501. Set against $17,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside earned the #6 position for value in neurosciences this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,803 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $19,286. That is a strong return on a $19,803 median debt. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley placed #7 among the best values for neurosciences. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $14,238. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Washington State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $18,647 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $28,316. That is a strong return on a $18,647 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis landed the #9 spot for neurosciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $29,765. That is a strong return on a $13,000 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #10 spot for neurosciences value this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $21,377 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $30,991. That is a strong return on a $21,377 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #11 spot for neurosciences value this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $19,500. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $25,034. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Western Washington University placed #12 among the best values for neurosciences. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $39,011 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Pomona College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,420. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $39,967. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon came in at #14 for value in neurosciences this year. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $22,034. Neurosciences graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. Set against $22,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Claremont Mckenna College landed the #15 spot for neurosciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,980 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $12,000. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $66,028. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Diego ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,486. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $33,641. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Southern California ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Neurosciences graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $38,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
Scripps College landed the #18 spot for neurosciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,950 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $77,539 ten years out. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Reed College landed the #19 spot for neurosciences value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Reed College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,350. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $21,137 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Reed College generally make around $30,588. That is a strong return on a $21,137 median debt. Reed College admits about 25% of applicants.
Santa Clara University placed #20 among the best values for neurosciences. Located in the city of Santa Clara, Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,293. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Narrow Neurosciences Schools by State
More Neurosciences Rankings
View All Neurosciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
