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2023 Best Value Colleges for Science, Technology & Society (Income $30-$48k)

21 Ranked Colleges
1,095 Degrees Awarded
$12,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 $30-$48k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in science, technology and society. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great science, technology and society programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the science, technology and society program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for Science, Technology & Society (Income $30-$48k)

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford, California 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 63 students in 2020-2021.

Stanford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. It costs about $1,581 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stanford.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. 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 Stanford

2
Colby crest
Colby College
Waterville, Maine

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Colby College landed the #2 spot on the list. Colby College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waterville, Maine. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Colby not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Colby College is $2,361 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Colby College

3
Georgetown crest
Georgetown University
Washington, District of Columbia

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Georgetown University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. It costs about $9,871 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Georgetown.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Georgetown University

4
Tufts crest
Tufts University
Medford, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tufts University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k. Tufts is located in Medford, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

Tufts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Tufts is $7,987 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 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.

Full Tufts University Science, Technology & Society Report

5
Vanderbilt crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 18 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k list, Vanderbilt has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Vanderbilt is $4,652 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 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%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Vanderbilt

6
Vassar crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, New York

With a ranking of #6, Vassar College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Poughkeepsie, New York, and it awarded 11 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

Vassar also made our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Vassar College is $13,193 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, 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 93%. 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 full report on Science, Technology & Society at Vassar

7
Carnegie Mellon crest
Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #7, Carnegie Mellon University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Carnegie Mellon is a fairly large school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that handed out 4 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

Carnegie Mellon also took the #3 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Carnegie Mellon is $13,608 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Carnegie Mellon University

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 $30-$48k list. ASU - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 37 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $10,628 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at ASU - Tempe

9

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. UC Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 13 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $11,598 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at University of California - Davis

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

With a ranking of #10, Farmingdale State College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Farmingdale, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s science, tech and society degrees to 293 students in 2020-2021.

SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale also made our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list, coming in at #19. The yearly cost to attend SUNY College of Technology at Farmingdale is $6,411 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Farmingdale State College

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

North Carolina State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 58 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State also made our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for NC State is $9,448 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full NC State Science, Technology & Society Report

12

Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Georgia Tech is a large public school situated in Atlanta, Georgia. It awarded 59 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Georgia Tech, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $11,712 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus

13
GMU crest
George Mason University
Fairfax, Virginia

George Mason University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Fairfax, Virginia, and it awarded 12 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GMU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $15,979 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend GMU.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at GMU

14
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. James Madison University is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 93 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k list, JMU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for JMU is $14,985 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

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.

Full JMU Science, Technology & Society Report

15

With a ranking of #15, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s science, tech and society degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona also took the #20 spot in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is $12,992 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%.

Read full report on Science, Technology & Society at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

16

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is located in Troy, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

RPI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for RPI is $20,738 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%.

Full RPI Science, Technology & Society Report

17
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. 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.

Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. It costs about $15,170 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan State University.

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 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Michigan State University 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 $30-$48k list. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution located in Norman, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Oklahoma has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,846 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Science, Technology & Society at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

19

University of Washington - Bothell Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Washington - Bothell Campus is located in Bothell, Washington and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s science, tech and society degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k list, UW Bothell has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Bothell Campus is $6,966 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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%.

Full UW Bothell Science, Technology & Society Report

20
WPI crest
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester Polytechnic Institute did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. This medium-sized school is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and it awarded 4 ’s science, tech and society degrees in 2020-2021.

WPI also made our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend WPI is $33,976 for Science, Tech & Society students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

21
Puget Sound crest
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, Washington

With a ranking of #21, University of Puget Sound did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Science, Tech & Society Schools For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Puget Sound is a private not-for-profit institution located in Tacoma, Washington. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Puget Sound not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Science, Technology & Society Schools” list. It costs about $24,158 for science, tech & society students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend 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

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