2027 Best Value Science, Technology & Society Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Science, Technology & Society](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/science-technology-and-society/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for science, technology & society students.
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2027 Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the science, technology & society degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 best value for science, technology & society in the United States. 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. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Farmingdale State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in science, technology & society, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $18,006 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $31,638. Set against $18,006 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned it the #3 place 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. Students borrow a median of $15,807 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $65,492. Set against $15,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $40,297. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of California Davis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in science, technology & society, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $14,404. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #6 for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $15,000. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $39,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Vanderbilt University placed #7 among the best values for science, technology & society. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $13,975. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #8 among the best values for science, technology & society. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $24,000 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
James Madison University placed #9 among the best values for science, technology & society. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $54,235 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Wesleyan University placed #10 among the best values for science, technology & society. Wesleyan University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Middletown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,042. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $16,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Wesleyan University generally make around $39,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $25,266. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $60,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Vassar College came in at #12 for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $71,030. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $18,593. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $27,215. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Other Science, Technology & Society Degree Levels
Explore the best-value science, technology & society schools at other degree levels:
View All Science, Technology & Society Rankings >
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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
