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2027 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

7 Colleges in the United States
$20,833 Avg Student Debt
$82,277 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Cognitive Science Badge [Cognitive Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value cognitive science schools.

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2027 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cognitive science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Cognitive Science Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, our #1 best value for cognitive science in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $44,698. Set against $22,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in cognitive science will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $20,778 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. Set against $20,778 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.

3

University Of Chicago came in at #3 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. Students from in state pay about $69,324 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the cognitive science program here. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $81,002. Set against $15,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.

4

Indiana University Bloomington came in at #4 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, compared with $41,891 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $20,542. 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. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

5

A rank of #5 makes Northwestern University one of the best values for cognitive science. Located in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,322. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of Northwestern University earn a median of $78,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.

6
Marquette University crest
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University landed the #6 spot for cognitive science value this year. Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $51,170 in tuition and fees. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans. Cognitive Science graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $60,443 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,122 median debt. The acceptance rate is 81%.

7

Case Western Reserve University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $66,608 in tuition and fees. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $25,417 in student loans. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University generally make around $30,198. That is a strong return on a $25,417 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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