Best colleges for Cognitive Science
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Cognitive Science by graduate earnings are Stanford University ($105,695), University of Pennsylvania ($84,314) and Tufts University ($75,672), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Stanford University (Stanford, CA): $105,695, 121 graduates a year
- University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA): $84,314, 95 graduates a year
- Tufts University (Medford, MA): $75,672, 48 graduates a year
- University of California-Berkeley (Berkeley, CA): $64,559, 280 graduates a year
- University of California-Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA): $53,962, 307 graduates a year
Compare 71 U.S. colleges offering Cognitive Science by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 26 states.
Cognitive Science programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,342 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 30.25 and the Self-Enrichment Teachers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Cognitive Science programs
Cognitive Science is an interdisciplinary field that explores the nature of human thought, behavior, and understanding through various lenses, including psychology, sociology, and computer science. This program is designed for students interested in how cognitive processes influence human actions and societal structures, making it ideal for those curious about the mind's workings and its impact on culture and communication.
Students in Cognitive Science develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework often includes topics in psychology, education, and sociology, providing a well-rounded foundation for understanding cognitive processes and their applications in various contexts.
Top 18 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $105,695 | 121 | 92% | $12,032 | $8,055 |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $84,314 | 95 | 97% | $22,055 | $18,660 |
| 3 | Tufts University Medford, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,672 | 48 | 94% | $23,570 | $18,000 |
| 4 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,559 | 280 | 93% | — | $13,950 |
| 5 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,962 | 307 | 93% | — | $13,000 |
| 6 | Rice University Houston, TX Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,459 | 36 | 95% | $13,264 | $13,000 |
| 7 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,698 | 118 | 93% | — | $22,500 |
| 8 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $42,602 | 29 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 9 | University of California-Davis Davis, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,342 | 194 | 86% | — | $15,000 |
| 10 | University of Georgia Athens, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,362 | 81 | 90% | — | $15,750 |
| 11 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,839 | 856 | 86% | — | $17,481 |
| 12 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,752 | 59 | 94% | $14,854 | — |
| 13 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,132 | 60 | 84% | — | $25,018 |
| 14 | University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,384 | 181 | 75% | — | $19,500 |
| 15 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,295 | 89 | 92% | $26,873 | $19,669 |
| 16 | University of California-Merced Merced, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $32,419 | 66 | 69% | — | $21,000 |
| 17 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,996 | 52 | 94% | $14,126 | $17,500 |
| 18 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $30,198 | 34 | 87% | $27,976 | $25,417 |
Specializations within Cognitive Science
2 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 30.25 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Cognitive ScienceCIP 30.25013,497 graduates / yr71 institutions26 states
- Contemplative Studies/CIP 30.2502
Inquiry New in CIP 2020limited data3 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Show all 3 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Cognitive Science30.2599
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 26 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 5 | $84,314 | University of Pennsylvania |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $75,672 | Tufts University |
| Texaslimited | 2 | $47,459 | Rice University |
| Michigan | 3 | $44,698 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | $42,602 | Johns Hopkins University |
| California | 16 | $42,342 | Stanford University |
| Georgialimited | 2 | $41,362 | University of Georgia |
| Tennesseelimited | 2 | $38,752 | Vanderbilt University |
| New Jerseylimited | 2 | $38,132 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick |
| Missourilimited | 1 | $30,996 | Washington University in St Louis |
| Ohiolimited | 1 | $30,198 | Case Western Reserve University |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arkansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Delawarelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinois | 3 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 2 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Minnesota | 4 | — | — |
| New Hampshirelimited | 1 | — | — |
| New York | 10 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oregonlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 2 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-3021, Self-Enrichment Teachers, and its national outlook.
The job outlook for careers related to Cognitive Science is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 3.7% and approximately 51,400 annual openings. Entry-level positions typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with a median wage of $45,590, making it a promising field for aspiring professionals.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Cognitive Science
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.25.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.25 (Cognitive Science) maps to 6 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 21-1099 | Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other |
| 21-2021 | Directors, Religious Activities and Education |
| 21-2099 | Religious Workers, All Other |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
| 25-3021 | Self-Enrichment Teachersprimary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Cognitive Science programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Prepare students for further development by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
- Observe students to determine qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests, and other individual characteristics.
- Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by administrative policy.
- Monitor students' performance to make suggestions for improvement and to ensure that they satisfy course standards, training requirements, and objectives.
Common questions
What is Cognitive Science?+
Cognitive Science is the study of the mind and its processes, integrating knowledge from psychology, sociology, and computer science.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication skills.
What is the job outlook for Cognitive Science graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.7% and around 51,400 annual openings.
What is the median wage for careers in this field?+
The median wage for careers related to Cognitive Science is $45,590.
How much do Cognitive Science graduates earn?+
Cognitive Science graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,342, College Scorecard (2019); the Self-Enrichment Teachers occupation pays about $54,740 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Cognitive Science?+
Cognitive Science maps to CIP 30.25 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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