College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

21 Ranked Colleges
1,095 Degrees Awarded
$11,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Science, Technology & Society is the 419th most popular major in the country with 1,095 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

This year’s “Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in science, technology and society. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent science, technology and society programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the science, technology and society program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Science, Tech & Society Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The science, tech & society school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Science, Technology & Society (Income $0-$30k)

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 63 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $1,233 for science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Stanford Science, Technology & Society Report

2
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Georgetown University. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Georgetown University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Washington, District of Columbia. It awarded 132 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgetown also took the #2 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Georgetown is $3,077 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Georgetown

3
Colby crest
Colby College
Waterville, Maine

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Colby College landed the #3 spot on the list. Colby College is a small school located in Waterville, Maine that handed out 13 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k list, Colby has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Colby is $2,648 for science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Colby

4
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #4 spot on the list. Vanderbilt is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Nashville, Tennessee. It awarded 18 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

Vanderbilt also took the #8 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $3,176 for science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Vanderbilt University

5
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tufts University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Medford, Massachusetts, and it awarded 8 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

Tufts also made our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $8,122 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Tufts.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Tufts

6
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Carnegie Mellon University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s science, tech and society degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

Carnegie Mellon not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. It costs about $16,456 for science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Carnegie Mellon University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Carnegie Mellon

7
Vassar crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, New York

With a ranking of #7, Vassar College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Vassar College is located in Poughkeepsie, New York and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Vassar, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,535 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Vassar College.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Vassar College Science, Technology & Society Report

8

With a ranking of #8, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Arizona State University - Tempe is a public institution located in Tempe, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Arizona State University - Tempe is $8,969 for science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Arizona State University - Tempe

9

University of California - Davis landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Davis has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $10,006 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at UC Davis

10
SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale crest
Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, New York

Farmingdale State College landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Farmingdale State College is a medium-sized public school situated in Farmingdale, New York. It awarded 293 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale is $3,335 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale Science, Technology & Society Report

11
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NC State is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NC State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $7,283 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at North Carolina State University

12

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Georgia Tech is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 59 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

Georgia Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Georgia Tech is $8,818 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Science, Technology & Society Report

13
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Michigan State is a public institution located in East Lansing, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan State has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State University is $6,927 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Michigan State

14
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. George Mason University is a public institution located in Fairfax, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

GMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend George Mason University is $14,781 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at GMU

15
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, this large public school handed out 93 diplomas to qualified ’s science, tech and society students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at JMU, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend James Madison University is $14,288 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at James Madison University

16

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Troy, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s science, tech and society degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k list, RPI has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $22,878 for science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend RPI.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

17

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s science, tech and society students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona also made our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $10,349 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Science, Technology & Society Report

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s science, tech and society degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Oklahoma, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,103 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Oklahoma.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

19

University of Washington - Bothell Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Bothell, Washington is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s science, tech and society degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Bothell, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $6,864 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Washington - Bothell Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UW Bothell Science, Technology & Society Report

20
WPI crest
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WPI also made our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list, coming in at #13. It costs about $31,779 for science, tech & society students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WPI.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

21
Puget Sound crest
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, Washington

University of Puget Sound ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Tacoma, Washington. It awarded 6 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

Puget Sound did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. It costs about $24,734 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Puget Sound.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at University of Puget Sound

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options