2027 Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools

[Science, Technology & Society](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/science-technology-and-society/science-technology-and-society/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong science, technology & society education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value science, technology & society schools.
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Finding the Best Value Science, Technology & Society School for You
The science, technology & society program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created 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.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in science, technology & society, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Science, Technology & Society Schools
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best value for a degree in science, technology & society in the United States. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $10,492. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $44,736. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Farmingdale State College earned it the #2 place for science, technology & society. 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. 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.
Students looking for strong value in science, technology & society will find it at University Of Washington Bothell Campus, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $15,807. Soon after graduation, science, technology & society degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $65,492. Set against $15,807 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in science, technology & society will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Davis earned it the #5 place for science, technology & society. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, 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. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Southeastern Louisiana University earned the #6 position for value in science, technology & society this year. Southeastern Louisiana University is a large public school located in the city of Hammond. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,373, with out-of-state students paying around $20,851. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Southeastern Louisiana University earn a median of $42,682 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University earned the #7 position for value in science, technology & society this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $39,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Vanderbilt University landed the #8 spot for science, technology & society value this year. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,498. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Set against $13,975 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. 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. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $24,000. Science, Technology & Society graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $43,150 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University earned the #10 position for value in science, technology & society this year. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. 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. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $54,235. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Brown University placed #11 among the best values for science, technology & society. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Science, Technology & Society graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Brown University earn a median of $166,469 early in their careers. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Wesleyan University landed the #12 spot for science, technology & society value this year. 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. Typical student debt for science, technology & society graduates is $16,125. Science, Technology & Society graduates of Wesleyan University earn a median of $39,764 early in their careers. Set against $16,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wesleyan University admits about 16% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earned the #13 position for value in science, technology & society this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. 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. Set against $25,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Vassar College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value science, technology & society schools. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $71,030. Students borrow a median of $18,593 to complete the science, technology & society program here. Early-career science, technology & society graduates make about $27,215. That is a strong return on a $18,593 median debt. Vassar College admits about 19% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.