Tennessee · Cognitive Science

Best colleges for Cognitive Science in Tennessee

Ranked by graduate earnings

Vanderbilt University and University of Memphis award the most Cognitive Science degrees and certificates in Tennessee: 59 and 3 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 2 Tennessee colleges offer Cognitive Science and award 62 degrees and certificates a year in all.

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…

Institutions
2
offering CIP 30.25
States offered
26
with a program page
Degrees / yr
62
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$38,752
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$14,854
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
72%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Self-Enrichment Teachers
$46,410
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Vanderbilt University
Nashville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$38,7525994%$14,854—

Colleges awarding the most Cognitive Science degrees in Tennessee

Top 2 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Vanderbilt University
Nashville Private not-for-profit
59$38,752
2University of Memphis
Memphis Public
3Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Self-Enrichment Teachers (SOC 25-3021).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.7%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~51,400
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$45,590
typically High school diploma or equivalent

Top skills

SpeakingActive ListeningLearning StrategiesReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive Learning

What Self-Enrichment Teachers earn in Tennessee

Jobs in Tennessee
3,530
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$46,410
median $38,730
Best-paying metro
$47,860
Chattanooga, TN-GA

Related careers

Self-Enrichment Teachers
$46,410 avg · 3,530 jobs
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
$54,210 avg · 1,940 jobs
Directors, Religious Activities and Education
$64,770 avg · 130 jobs
Religious Workers, All Other
$48,840 avg · 130 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Cognitive Science programs in Tennessee.

Which Tennessee colleges award the most Cognitive Science degrees?+

Vanderbilt University (59 graduates a year) and University of Memphis (3 graduates a year) award the most Cognitive Science degrees and certificates in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 2 Tennessee colleges offer Cognitive Science.

Which Cognitive Science program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Vanderbilt University tops the list at $38,752. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Self-Enrichment Teachers earn in Tennessee?+

The average annual wage for Self-Enrichment Teachers in Tennessee is $46,410 (median $38,730), across about 3,530 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Cognitive Science program?+

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…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop speaking, active listening, learning strategies, reading comprehension, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Self-Enrichment Teachers?+

The national job outlook is about +3.7% growth with around 51,400 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A High school diploma or equivalent is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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