2026 Best Value Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools in the Far Western Region

[Neurobiology & Neurosciences](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/neurobiology-and-neurosciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools.
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2026 Best Value Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in neurobiology & neurosciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in neurobiology & neurosciences in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in neurobiology & neurosciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $32,081. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $17,057 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $23,464. Set against $17,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #4 place for neurobiology & neurosciences. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. 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 neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $20,500. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $21,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Los Angeles earned it the #5 place for neurobiology & neurosciences. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $17,149. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $30,501. That is a strong return on a $17,149 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $19,803. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $19,286 early in their careers. Set against $19,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Riverside admits about 76% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #7 position for value in neurobiology & 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, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Neurobiology & 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. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
Washington State University earned the #8 position for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $18,647 in student loans. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $28,316. Set against $18,647 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $13,000. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & 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. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $21,377 in student loans. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $30,991. Set against $21,377 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #11 position for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $19,500. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $25,034. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Western Washington University landed the #12 spot for neurobiology & neurosciences value this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career neurobiology & neurosciences graduates make about $39,011. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Pomona College earned the #13 position for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,420. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $39,967. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oregon placed #14 among the best values for neurobiology & neurosciences. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. Neurobiology & 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Claremont Mckenna College landed the #15 spot for neurobiology & 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 neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from Claremont Mckenna College generally make around $66,028. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
University Of San Diego came in at #16 for value in neurobiology & neurosciences this year. Set in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $59,486. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from University Of San Diego generally make around $33,641. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Southern California ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & 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. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $38,063 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 10%.
Scripps College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,950. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $77,539. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Reed College landed the #19 spot for neurobiology & 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. Typical student debt for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates is $21,137. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from Reed College generally make around $30,588. Set against $21,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 25% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Clara University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value neurobiology & neurosciences schools. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Students from in state pay about $61,293 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the neurobiology & neurosciences program here. Soon after graduation, neurobiology & neurosciences degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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 16 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.