by our College Data Analytics Team
[Cognitive Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. The schools below stand out for the salaries their cognitive science graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find where cognitive science graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send cognitive science graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
For graduate earnings in cognitive science, no school beat Stanford University this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cognitive Science graduates of Stanford University earn a median of about $105,695 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in cognitive science will find them at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $109,527 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the highest-paying schools for cognitive science. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $100,651 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #4 makes Tufts University one of the highest-paying schools for cognitive science. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Early-career cognitive science graduates from Tufts University make a median of around $75,672 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in cognitive science will find them at University Of Delaware, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a public institution. Students who complete the cognitive science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $69,292.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #6 for cognitive science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $78,267 a year early in their careers.
University Of California San Diego landed the #7 spot for cognitive science salaries this year. University Of California San Diego is a public school located in the city of La Jolla. Early-career cognitive science graduates from University Of California San Diego make a median of around $85,159 per year.
Rice University placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for cognitive science. Rice University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Houston. Students who complete the cognitive science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,816.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #9 for cognitive science graduate earnings this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. After graduating, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz typically earn about $76,561 annually.
University Of Georgia came in at #10 for cognitive science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Early-career cognitive science graduates from University Of Georgia make a median of around $61,591 per year.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. After graduating, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor typically earn about $44,698 annually.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cognitive science schools. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Early-career cognitive science graduates from Johns Hopkins University make a median of around $42,602 per year.
University Of California Merced ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cognitive science schools. University Of California Merced is a public school located in the suburb of Merced. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of about $57,358 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Davis came in at #14 for cognitive science graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Early-career cognitive science graduates from University Of California Davis make a median of around $42,342 per year.
Vanderbilt University came in at #15 for cognitive science graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, cognitive science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University typically earn about $38,752 annually.
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #16 for cognitive science graduate earnings this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Cognitive Science graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $38,132 a year early in their careers.
University Of Southern California ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Southern California typically earn about $34,295 annually.
Washington University In St Louis earned the #18 position for cognitive science graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. Cognitive Science graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of about $30,996 a year early in their careers.
Case Western Reserve University came in at #19 for cognitive science graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, cognitive science degree recipients from Case Western Reserve University typically earn about $30,198 annually.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Cognitive Science rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their cognitive science graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 19 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.