2026 Best Cognitive Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

Cognitive Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for cognitive science students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

• Best Cognitive Science Schools in the The Plains States Region

Best Schools for Cognitive Science in the The Plains States Region

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

1

University Of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

14 Cognitive Science Degrees Awarded

$46,572 Median Starting Salary

Our analysis ranked University Of Minnesota Duluth the best school in the country for a degree in cognitive science. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 14 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $46,572 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete this degree. Get the full cognitive science details for University Of Minnesota Duluth

2

Washington University In St Louis
St. Louis, MO

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

46 Cognitive Science Degrees Awarded

$30,996 Median Starting Salary

Students looking for a strong cognitive science program will find one at Washington University In St Louis, which ranked #2. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of St. Louis. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 46 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $30,996 early in their careers. Washington University In St Louis graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. See the full cognitive science program report for Washington University In St Louis

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 6 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.