[Science, Technology & Society](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/science-technology-and-society/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for science, technology & society students.
Finding the Best Value Science, Technology & Society School for You
The right science, technology & society school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
For return on investment in science, technology & society, no school beat Stanford University this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $44,736. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in science, technology & society will find it at Farmingdale State College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $18,006 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $31,638. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Washington Bothell Campus one of the best values for science, technology & society. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $15,807 in student loans. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $65,492. Set against $15,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #4 place for science, technology & society. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $24,125. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $40,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Students looking for strong value in science, technology & society will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #5. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Southeastern Louisiana University placed #6 among the best values for science, technology & society. Located in the city of Hammond, Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,373, compared with $20,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $42,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southeastern Louisiana University admits about 99% of applicants.
Arizona State University landed the #7 spot for science, technology & society value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $39,993. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University placed #8 among the best values for science, technology & society. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $13,975. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $24,000. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $43,150. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University placed #10 among the best values for science, technology & society. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,966, while out-of-state students pay about $31,312. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $54,235. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Brown University came in at #11 for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $166,469. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
Wesleyan University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. Set in the city of Middletown, Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,042. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $60,523 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,266 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Vassar College came in at #14 for value in science, technology & society this year. Set in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,030. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $18,593. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Vassar College generally make around $27,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants.
Narrow Science, Technology & Society Schools by Region
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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).
[Science, Technology & Society](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/science-technology-and-society/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
