by our College Data Analytics TeamDiscover how people think and why they act the way they do with a major in Cognitive Science. Students will take classes in a variety of subjects in order to fully understand the human mind. Learn how the fields connect and work together in order to make discoveries through different theories and methods. This is a fascinating major that will reveal the way people think, solve problems and reason.
Classes will be in topics such as psychology, computer science, math, philosophy, linguistics, neuroscience, chemistry, language acquisition, logic, and biology.
A degree in Cognitive Science explores Cognitive Science. Read on to learn the essential details every cognitive science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering cognitive science programs.
Nationwide, cognitive science draws strong interest, with 3,121 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Cognitive Science Schools ranking analyzes these 67 schools to determine the best overall colleges for cognitive science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of cognitive science programs later in this article.
Programs in Cognitive Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cognitive science graduates commonly enter.
Cognitive Science is an interdisciplinary major that requires organization and time management. Be ready to work through difficult mathematics problems and complicated labs. Students need to memorize terminology and theories and apply them to different subject areas. Learn to work cooperatively with others and listen to new opinions and perspectives.
This major encourages the development of research and problem solving skills. You should have a flexible mind and be open to new methods. Be ready listen and communicate your own findings. Your coursework will involve both written and oral presentations.
Skills developed in a cognitive science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a cognitive science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several cognitive science degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,955 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 96 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 70 |
People currently working in careers related to cognitive science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 41.6% |
| Master’s degree | 19.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 12.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.6% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.6% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in cognitive science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A Cognitive Science degree will prepare you to pursue further education in the behavioral sciences fields as well as different directions such as law or medicine. Graduates who wish to go straight into a career can find work in the computer industry working with artificial intelligence, software design and development, human-computer interface design, or cognitive engineering. Those interested in medicine can become neuroscientists, bio-technicians, or pharmacists, although these careers may need additional education.
Studying cognitive science opens doors to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to cognitive science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to cognitive science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | 944,792 | 8.8% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Religious Workers, All Other | 258,483 | -1.4% |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | 239,121 | -2.3% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | 38,623 | 13.1% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of cognitive science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $46,058 |
| 4 years | $67,809 |
| 5 years | $79,238 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for cognitive science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers cognitive science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | $77,096 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $75,358 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $64,599 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $58,956 |
With 67 different cognitive science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased cognitive science school rankings to help you.
Those considering cognitive science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Cognitive Science, General | 3,111 |
| Contemplative Studies/Inquiry | 10 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Natural Sciences | 2,648 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
