by our College Data Analytics Team
[Neurosciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/neurobiology-and-neurosciences/neurosciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong neurosciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value neurosciences schools.
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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.
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for neurosciences in California. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Students looking for strong value in neurosciences will find it at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, 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 $21,818 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #4 place for neurosciences. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, 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. That is a strong return on a $17,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Riverside is a great value for students pursuing a degree in neurosciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,636, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $19,803 in student loans. Neurosciences graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $19,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #6 position for value in neurosciences this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the neurosciences program here. Neurosciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis placed #7 among the best values for neurosciences. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $29,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #8 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, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $25,034. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Pomona College landed the #9 spot for neurosciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,420. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $39,967. The acceptance rate is 7%.
Claremont Mckenna College landed the #10 spot for neurosciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,980. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the neurosciences program here. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $66,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
University Of San Diego came in at #11 for value in neurosciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $59,486. Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career neurosciences graduates make about $33,641. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Southern California ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value neurosciences schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $71,647 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $15,750. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $38,063. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Scripps College earned the #13 position for value in neurosciences this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,950. Graduates go on to earn a median of $77,539 ten years after entry. Scripps College admits about 38% of applicants.
Santa Clara University landed the #14 spot for neurosciences value this year. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. In-state tuition and fees average $61,293. Typical student debt for neurosciences graduates is $20,000. Neurosciences graduates of Santa Clara University earn a median of $79,380 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.