by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Cognitive Science covers Cognitive Science, General. A Program That Focuses On The Study Of The Mind And The Nature Of Intelligence From The Interdisciplinary Perspectives Of Computer Science, Philosophy, Mathematics, Psychology, Neuroscience, And Other Disciplines. Includes Instruction In Mathematics And Logic, Cognitive Process Modeling, Dynamic Systems, Learning Theories, Brain And Cognition, Neural Networking, Programming, And Applications To Topics Such As Language Acquisition, Computer Systems, And Perception And Behavior. 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.
Across the country, cognitive science draws strong interest, with 3,111 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.
Studies in Cognitive Science develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations cognitive science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a cognitive science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, 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 | 2,945 |
| 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 | 53.4% |
| Master’s degree | 12.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.7% |
| Some college courses | 6.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.5% |
View 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.*
Studying cognitive science opens doors to many career paths. These 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% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of cognitive science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
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.
If you are interested in cognitive science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Contemplative Studies/Inquiry | 10 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
