2026 Best Value Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods Schools

[Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods](/majors/social-sciences/general-social-sciences/research-methodology-and-quantitative-methods/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 70 schools to find the best return on investment for research methodology & quantitative methods students.
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Finding the Best Value Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods School for You
Where you study research methodology & quantitative methods affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
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2026 Best Value Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in research methodology & quantitative methods, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods Schools
Leading the list is University Of California Los Angeles, our #1 best value for research methodology & quantitative methods in the United States. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research methodology & quantitative methods degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in research methodology & quantitative methods will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $22,442 in student loans. Early-career research methodology & quantitative methods graduates make about $35,363. That is a strong return on a $22,442 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
Montclair State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value research methodology & quantitative methods schools. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $44,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,286 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value research methodology & quantitative methods schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for research methodology & quantitative methods graduates is $19,937. Soon after graduation, research methodology & quantitative methods degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $56,540. That is a strong return on a $19,937 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kentucky is a great value for students pursuing a degree in research methodology & quantitative methods, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lexington, University Of Kentucky is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $24,094 in student loans. Early-career research methodology & quantitative methods graduates make about $49,568. That is a strong return on a $24,094 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Southeast Missouri State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value research methodology & quantitative methods schools. Set in the city of Cape Girardeau, Southeast Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,903. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $34,390 in student loans. Early-career research methodology & quantitative methods graduates make about $37,193. Set against $34,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value research methodology & quantitative methods schools. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete the research methodology & quantitative methods program here. Soon after graduation, research methodology & quantitative methods degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $58,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Alabama At Birmingham earned the #8 position for value in research methodology & quantitative methods this year. Set in the city of Birmingham, University Of Alabama At Birmingham is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,562. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $26,162 in student loans. Early-career research methodology & quantitative methods graduates make about $55,413. Set against $26,162 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University placed #9 among the best values for research methodology & quantitative methods. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for research methodology & quantitative methods graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, research methodology & quantitative methods degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $61,389. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Vanderbilt University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Chicago landed the #10 spot for research methodology & quantitative methods value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete the research methodology & quantitative methods program here. Soon after graduation, research methodology & quantitative methods degree recipients from University Of Chicago generally make around $53,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Chicago admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value research methodology & quantitative methods schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, research methodology & quantitative methods degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value research methodology & quantitative methods schools. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the research methodology & quantitative methods program here. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #13 position for value in research methodology & quantitative methods this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the research methodology & quantitative methods program here. Early-career research methodology & quantitative methods graduates make about $86,770. That is a strong return on a $23,258 median debt. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of North Dakota landed the #14 spot for research methodology & quantitative methods value this year. Located in the city of Grand Forks, University Of North Dakota is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,951 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for research methodology & quantitative methods graduates is $27,431. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates of University Of North Dakota earn a median of $34,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,431 median debt. University Of North Dakota admits about 77% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #15 for value in research methodology & quantitative methods this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the research methodology & quantitative methods program here. Early-career research methodology & quantitative methods graduates make about $52,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #16 spot for research methodology & quantitative methods value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Students borrow a median of $29,198 to complete the research methodology & quantitative methods program here. Early-career research methodology & quantitative methods graduates make about $54,166. Set against $29,198 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value research methodology & quantitative methods schools. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete the research methodology & quantitative methods program here. Soon after graduation, research methodology & quantitative methods degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Emory University earned the #18 position for value in research methodology & quantitative methods this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,280. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete the research methodology & quantitative methods program here. Early-career research methodology & quantitative methods graduates make about $67,840. Set against $19,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Brown University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value research methodology & quantitative methods schools. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Students from in state pay about $71,312 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for research methodology & quantitative methods graduates is $13,025. Early-career research methodology & quantitative methods graduates make about $62,820. Set against $13,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #20 for value in research methodology & quantitative methods this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Southern California earned the #21 position for value in research methodology & quantitative methods this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $33,789 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.
Georgetown University placed #22 among the best values for research methodology & quantitative methods. Set in the city of Washington, Georgetown University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,089. Students borrow a median of $16,483 to complete the research methodology & quantitative methods program here. Early-career research methodology & quantitative methods graduates make about $79,632. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.
Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #23 for value in research methodology & quantitative methods this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,678. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates carry a median of $47,000 in student loans. Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $37,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $47,000 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 70 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.