[Cognitive Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for cognitive science students.
Finding the Best Value Cognitive Science School for You
The cognitive science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Cognitive Science Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Cognitive Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is University Of California Los Angeles, our #1 best value for cognitive science in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $53,962. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #2 place for cognitive science. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $13,950 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $64,559. Set against $13,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
A rank of #3 makes Stanford University one of the best values for cognitive science. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $8,055 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $105,695 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cognitive science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $17,481. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $39,839 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #5 place for cognitive science. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $44,698. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Rice University landed the #6 spot for cognitive science value this year. Located in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $47,459. Set against $13,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Chicago ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Chicago earn a median of $81,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #8 spot for cognitive science value this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $20,778. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine landed the #9 spot for cognitive science value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Georgia earned the #10 position for value in cognitive science this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $15,750. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $41,362. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis came in at #11 for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $15,000. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $42,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #12 for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $38,752. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of California Merced ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $32,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas earned the #15 position for value in cognitive science this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $44,752. That is a strong return on a $20,531 median debt. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #16 for value in cognitive science this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $42,602. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Duluth placed #17 among the best values for cognitive science. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $46,572. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #18 position for value in cognitive science this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $35,384 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Delaware placed #19 among the best values for cognitive science. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best values for cognitive science. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $13,516. Cognitive Science graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
Pomona College landed the #21 spot for cognitive science value this year. Located in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,420. Cognitive Science graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $75,954 early in their careers. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo came in at #22 for value in cognitive science this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #23 position for value in cognitive science this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #24 position for value in cognitive science this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $30,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
Yale University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,250. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $74,578. Set against $14,357 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cognitive science value ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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).
[Cognitive Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
