by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 73 U.S. colleges awarded 3,904 degrees and certificates in Cognitive Science. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 95% of graduates. College Factual ranks 40 schools in its 2027 Best Cognitive Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $46,058 one year after completing, rising to $87,786 after four years.
Studying Cognitive Science covers Cognitive Science, General. A Program That Focuses On The Study Of The Mind And The Nature Of Intelligence From The Interdisciplinary Perspectives Of Computer Science, Philosophy, Mathematics, Psychology, Neuroscience, And Other Disciplines. Includes Instruction In Mathematics And Logic, Cognitive Process Modeling, Dynamic Systems, Learning Theories, Brain And Cognition, Neural Networking, Programming, And Applications To Topics Such As Language Acquisition, Computer Systems, And Perception And Behavior.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, cognitive science draws strong interest, with 3,904 degrees awarded annually. 73 colleges award cognitive science degrees, an average of 53 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 936.
By level, the 3,904 awards include 3,727 bachelor’s degrees, 103 master’s degrees and 74 doctorates.
Women earned 68% of cognitive science degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,637 of 3,904). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Asian (1,303) and White (1,045), and international students earned 464.
College Factual ranks 40 schools in its 2027 Best Cognitive Science Schools ranking, including 39 for bachelor’s degrees, 1 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks cognitive science schools within 15 states. In all, 73 colleges offer cognitive science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Cognitive Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common cognitive science credential is the bachelor’s degree: 3,727 of the 3,904 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to cognitive science call most for Active Listening, Reading Comprehension and Writing, and for knowledge of Customer and Personal Service, English Language and Administrative, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a cognitive science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,727 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 103 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 74 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to cognitive science, at 53.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 53.4% |
| Master’s degree | 12.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.7% |
| Some college courses | 6.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.5% |
Source: O*NET Online.
4 occupations are related to Cognitive Science, with an average median salary of $122,960; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Project Management Professor, Foreign Service Teacher, Interior Design Teacher and Humanities Teacher.
The occupation related to cognitive science with the most projected jobs is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, at 964,215.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Cognitive Science graduates earn a median $46,058 one year after completing their program, $87,786 after four years and $79,238 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,058 |
| 4 years | $87,786 |
| 5 years | $79,238 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to cognitive science is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
Cognitive Science has 1 similar major in the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies field; the largest is Contemplative Studies/Inquiry (7). Browse all Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Contemplative Studies/Inquiry | 7 |
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