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. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the early-career earnings of their cognitive science graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose cognitive science graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 for cognitive science graduate salaries in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career cognitive science graduates from Stanford University make a median of around $105,695 per year.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the highest-paying schools for cognitive science. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. After graduating, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley typically earn about $100,651 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in cognitive science will find them at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. University Of California Los Angeles is a public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students who complete the cognitive science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $78,267.
University Of California San Diego came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying cognitive science schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. After graduating, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California San Diego typically earn about $85,159 annually.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Santa Cruz one of the highest-paying schools for cognitive science. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. Students who complete the cognitive science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $76,561.
University Of California Merced landed the #6 spot for cognitive science salaries this year. University Of California Merced is a public school located in the suburb of Merced. After graduating, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Merced typically earn about $57,358 annually.
University Of California Davis landed the #7 spot for cognitive science salaries this year. University Of California Davis is a public school located in the suburb of Davis. After graduating, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Davis typically earn about $42,342 annually.
University Of Southern California placed #8 among the highest-paying schools for cognitive science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the cognitive science program here go on to a median salary of roughly $34,295.
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 · 8 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.