Science Colleges Under $20,000

Stanford makes Science, Technology and Society programs under $20,000 possible through aid that brings net costs down to $12,136 despite a $62,484 sticker price. The 19 affordable programs span from Farmingdale State's $9,173 net cost to nearly $20,000, creating opportunities across different economic backgrounds. Public universities dominate this space, with in-state residents at Cal Poly Pomona paying just $7,439 while out-of-state students face $11,580 net costs. The field connects directly to America's growing tech policy sector, where graduates analyze everything from artificial intelligence regulation to biotechnology ethics in government agencies, think tanks, and consulting firms. Georgia Tech graduates earn $41,565 median salaries with a 92.30% completion rate, while Eastern Michigan graduates command $58,673 despite the university's 45.50% graduation rate.

Programs

$9,173 – $19,813

Net Price Range

$54,097

Avg. Program Earnings

70.5%

Avg. Graduation Rate

19 Science, Technology and Society Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, New York	$9,173	$8,576	57.1%	73.2%
2	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898	$12,559	68.2%	88.1%
3	California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Pomona, California	$11,580	$7,439	66.7%	55.4%
4	Heritage University Toppenish, Washington	$11,893	$19,920	39.8%
5	Stanford University Stanford, California	$12,136	$62,484	92.8%	3.7%
6	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, Georgia	$13,289	$11,764	92.3%	17.1%
7	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
8	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, Arizona	$13,670	$12,051	67.8%	89.8%
9	Troy University Troy, Alabama	$13,869	$9,792	46.8%	94.8%
10	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
11	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288	$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
12	New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, New Jersey	$16,496	$19,022	73.1%	66.0%
13	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, North Carolina	$16,931	$8,895	84.6%	47.2%
14	Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan	$17,084	$15,510	45.5%	83.2%
15	SUNY Morrisville Morrisville, New York	$17,393	$8,769	31.9%	87.2%
16	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, Oklahoma	$17,413	$9,595	75.3%	72.9%
17	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$19,040	$63,946	92.7%	6.7%
18	Pomona College Claremont, California	$19,424	$62,326	93.2%	7.0%
19	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts	$19,813	$60,156	96.1%	4.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide graduation rate gap between affordable Science, Technology and Society programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from SUNY Morrisville's 31.90% to Stanford's 92.80%, reflecting different student populations and institutional resources. Selective schools like Georgia Tech achieve 92.30% completion with just 17.13% acceptance, while open-access institutions like Troy University accept 94.84% but graduate 46.80%. The 60-point spread shows that affordability alone doesn't predict student success. Schools with stronger support systems and more academically prepared incoming classes consistently achieve higher completion rates.

How do earnings vary for Science, Technology and Society graduates from budget-friendly programs?

Stanford graduates lead with $80,779 median earnings, nearly double Eastern Michigan's $58,673 despite both programs costing under $20,000. North Carolina State graduates earn $52,107 with significantly lower debt loads at $20,846. Farmingdale State shows the tradeoff many students face: the lowest net cost at $9,173 but also the lowest reported earnings at $37,363. Geographic location and alumni networks heavily influence these salary differences across affordable programs.

Is Science, Technology and Society worth pursuing at less selective universities?

Eastern Michigan graduates earn $58,673 despite the university's 83.23% acceptance rate and 45.50% graduation rate, proving that less selective schools can deliver strong outcomes. Arizona State accepts 89.75% of applicants but maintains a solid 67.80% graduation rate at $13,670 net cost. The field's interdisciplinary nature means success depends more on individual engagement with coursework than institutional prestige. Students willing to be proactive about internships and networking can achieve strong career outcomes regardless of admission selectivity.

Where do public university costs create the best value for Science, Technology and Society studies?

North Carolina State offers strong value with $8,895 in-state tuition leading to $52,107 median earnings and an 84.60% graduation rate. Cal Poly Pomona charges just $7,439 for residents while maintaining a competitive 66.70% completion rate. Georgia Tech provides the strongest combination of affordability at $11,764 in-state and career outcomes with $41,565 earnings. These public flagships leverage strong industry connections and research opportunities that private colleges struggle to match at similar price points.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.