2027 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Cognitive Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for cognitive science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Cognitive Science Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in cognitive science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Cognitive Science Schools
University Of Minnesota Duluth tops our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,608, while out-of-state students pay about $20,134. Cognitive Science graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans. Early-career cognitive science graduates make about $46,572. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Minnesota Duluth admits about 89% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Washington University In St Louis earned it the #2 place for cognitive science. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.
Carleton College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value cognitive science schools. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,892. Typical student debt for cognitive science graduates is $17,566. Cognitive Science graduates of Carleton College earn a median of $45,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,566 median debt. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Cognitive Science Schools by State
More Cognitive Science Rankings
View All Cognitive Science Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
