2027 Best Value Cognitive Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Cognitive Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/) 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 39 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value cognitive science schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the cognitive science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Cognitive Science Schools
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. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $53,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cognitive science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $13,950 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $64,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in cognitive science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $8,055. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $105,695. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #4 place for cognitive science. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $22,500. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $44,698. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Rice University came in at #6 for value in cognitive science this year. 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. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $13,000. Cognitive Science graduates of Rice University earn a median of $47,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants.
University Of Chicago earned the #7 position for value in cognitive science this year. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #8 position for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $20,778 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best values for cognitive science. 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. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $16,539 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $50,958. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Georgia landed the #10 spot for cognitive science value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $41,362 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
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, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $15,000. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $42,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $20,542. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Vanderbilt University placed #13 among the best values for cognitive science. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,498. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $38,752. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Merced placed #14 among the best values for cognitive science. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $32,419. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #15 spot for cognitive science value this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $20,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #16 among the best values for cognitive science. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $13,426. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $42,602. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,608, with out-of-state students paying around $20,134. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $46,572. That is a strong return on a $24,624 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $35,384. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware came in at #19 for value in cognitive science this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Pomona College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,420. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Pomona College generally make around $75,954. Pomona College admits about 7% of applicants.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #21 for value in cognitive science this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $113,129. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #22 among the best values for cognitive science. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. 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 placed #23 among the best values for cognitive science. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the cognitive science program here. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Washington University In St Louis ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,790. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $30,996. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Yale University landed the #25 spot for cognitive science value this year. 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. That is a strong return on a $14,357 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Rest of the Top 39 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cognitive science value ranking:
Other Cognitive Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Cognitive Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Cognitive Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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.
