2026 Best Cognitive Science Schools in the Far Western Region

1

University Of California Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

Leading the list is University Of California Berkeley, our #1 school for cognitive science. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 217 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $64,559. Typical student debt for the program is $13,950. Get the full cognitive science details for University Of California Berkeley

2

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cognitive science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. About 106 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Stanford University in the most recent year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $105,695 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,055 to complete this degree. Read more about the cognitive science program at Stanford University

3

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for cognitive science. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 271 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. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $13,000 in student loans. See the full cognitive science program report for University Of California Los Angeles

4

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 163 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. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. See the full cognitive science program report for University Of California Davis

5

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

A rank of #5 makes University Of California San Diego one of the top schools for cognitive science. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 708 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $39,839 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,481 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in cognitive science from University Of California San Diego

6

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

Pomona College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. 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. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from Pomona College earn around $75,954 in the first couple years of their career. Get the full cognitive science details for Pomona College

7

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College came in at #7 for cognitive science this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 81% of students finish within six years. Occidental College awarded about 15 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Occidental College generally make around $41,514. Students borrow a median of $22,967 to complete this degree. Read more about the cognitive science program at Occidental College

8

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 38 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $50,958. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in cognitive science from University Of California Irvine

9

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California earned the #9 position for cognitive science this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. About 64 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $34,295. Students borrow a median of $19,669 to complete this degree. Read more about the cognitive science program at University Of Southern California

10

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 142 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $35,384 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in cognitive science from University Of California Santa Cruz

11

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced earned the #11 position for cognitive science this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 45 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $32,419. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. More information about a degree in cognitive science from University Of California Merced