Cognitive Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best cognitive science schools.
The school you choose for cognitive science can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Cognitive Science Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Cognitive Science School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Cognitive Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Cognitive Science in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the cognitive science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Northwestern University, our #1 school for cognitive science. Set in the city of Evanston, Northwestern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. Northwestern University awarded about 10 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Northwestern University generally make around $78,551. Northwestern University graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from Northwestern University
Students looking for a strong cognitive science program will find one at Stanford University, which ranked #2. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. There were roughly 121 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $105,695. Students borrow a median of $8,055 to complete this degree.
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Students looking for a strong cognitive science program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 280 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $64,559 early in their careers. University Of California Berkeley graduates carry a median of $13,950 in student loans.
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University Of Chicago came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best cognitive science schools. University Of Chicago is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 22 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of Chicago in the most recent year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $81,002 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,854.
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Yale University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best cognitive science schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 66 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Yale University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
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Indiana University Bloomington placed #6 among the best cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 23 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $52,123 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,542.
See the full cognitive science program report for Indiana University Bloomington
University Of California Los Angeles placed #7 among the best cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 307 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $53,962. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from University Of California Los Angeles
Dartmouth College earned the #8 position for cognitive science this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 28 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from Dartmouth College
Johns Hopkins University landed the #9 spot for cognitive science this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 29 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $42,602 early in their careers. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
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University Of Pennsylvania came in at #10 for cognitive science this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 95 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $84,314 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,660.
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Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. About 84 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $113,129 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,516.
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Barnard College placed #12 among the best cognitive science schools. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete this degree.
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Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #13 for cognitive science this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
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Lehigh University earned the #14 position for cognitive science this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lehigh University awarded about 15 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $70,321 in their early career. Lehigh University graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans.
See the full cognitive science program report for Lehigh University
Tufts University placed #15 among the best cognitive science schools. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 48 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $75,672. Typical student debt for the program is $18,000.
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University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #16 among the best cognitive science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 72 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $57,461 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Vanderbilt University placed #17 among the best cognitive science schools. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 59 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $38,752 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
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University Of California Davis ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best cognitive science schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 194 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $42,342 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
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Carleton College placed #19 among the best cognitive science schools. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 15 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Carleton College in the most recent year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $45,096 in their early career. Carleton College graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans.
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University Of California San Diego ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best cognitive science schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 856 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $39,839 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,481.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from University Of California San Diego
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #21 spot for cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 21 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $46,572 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,624.
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The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #22 spot for cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 32 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $44,752. Typical student debt for the program is $20,531.
See the full cognitive science program report for The University Of Texas At Dallas
Pomona College earned the #23 position for cognitive science this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 11 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Pomona College in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $75,954 early in their careers.
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University At Buffalo came in at #24 for cognitive science this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University At Buffalo awarded about 19 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from University At Buffalo earn around $52,403 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from University At Buffalo
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #25 spot for cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 118 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $44,698 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 40 Cognitive Science Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s cognitive science ranking:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 40 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
