Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-82390, 333-75527, and 333-31704) of Varian, Inc. of our report dated October 23, 2002 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule, which appears in this Form 10-K.

/s/    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

San Jose, California

December 4, 2002