2026 Best Cognitive Science Schools in New York
Cognitive Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for cognitive science students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Cognitive Science in New York
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.
Top Schools in Cognitive Science
Columbia University In The City Of New York tops our 2026 ranking of the best cognitive science schools. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from Columbia University In The City Of New York earn around $86,770 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
See the full cognitive science program report for Columbia University In The City Of New York
Barnard College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cognitive science, landing the #2 spot this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 16 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Barnard College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from Barnard College earn around $50,790 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,609.
See the full cognitive science program report for Barnard College
A rank of #3 makes Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute one of the top schools for cognitive science. Set in the city of Troy, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the most recent year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute earn around $77,378 in the first couple years of their career. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute graduates carry a median of $24,975 in student loans.
Get the full cognitive science details for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
New York University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cognitive science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 29 cognitive science degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete this degree.
See the full cognitive science program report for New York University
Students looking for a strong cognitive science program will find one at Vassar College, which ranked #5. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Vassar College graduates 91% of students within six years. About 15 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Vassar College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Vassar College generally make around $37,412. Students borrow a median of $18,486 to complete this degree.
Get the full cognitive science details for Vassar College
More Cognitive Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 11 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
