by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cognitive Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong cognitive science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value cognitive science schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cognitive science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for cognitive science in the Far Western Region. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $8,055. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $105,695. That is a strong return on a $8,055 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California San Diego came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,481 to complete the cognitive science program here. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $39,839 early in their careers. Set against $17,481 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $53,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Irvine earned it the #4 place for cognitive science. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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%.
Students looking for strong value in cognitive science will find it at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Students borrow a median of $13,950 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $64,559. That is a strong return on a $13,950 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of California Merced placed #6 among the best values for cognitive science. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $32,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $42,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #8 position for value in cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $19,500. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $35,384. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Pomona College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. 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. Pomona College admits about 7% of applicants.
University Of Southern California ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value cognitive science schools. University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $19,669. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $34,295 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,669 median debt. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Occidental College landed the #11 spot for cognitive science value this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $66,274 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $22,967. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $41,514. Set against $22,967 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.