Cognitive Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 77 schools to find the best for cognitive science students.
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Choosing a Great Cognitive Science School
The cognitive science program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Cognitive Science rankings. For our Best Overall Cognitive Science School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Cognitive Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
University Of California Berkeley is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in cognitive science. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 217 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $64,559. Students borrow a median of $13,950 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from University Of California Berkeley
Stanford University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in cognitive science, landing the #2 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. Stanford University awarded about 106 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data 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.
See the full cognitive science program report for Stanford University
Yale University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from Yale University
Students looking for a strong cognitive science program will find one at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Baltimore. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 41 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $42,602 in the first couple years of their career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans.
See the full cognitive science program report for Johns Hopkins University
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for cognitive science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. About 271 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Cognitive Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $53,962 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
Read more about the cognitive science program at University Of California Los Angeles
Dartmouth College earned the #6 position for cognitive science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Hanover. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 14 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from Dartmouth College earn around $81,992 in the first couple years of their career. Dartmouth College graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans.
See the full cognitive science program report for Dartmouth College
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #7 position for cognitive science this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 45 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $84,314 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $18,660 in student loans.
Read more about the cognitive science program at University Of Pennsylvania
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. About 69 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Cognitive Science graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,516.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Lehigh University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. Lehigh University graduates 88% of students within six years. About 20 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from Lehigh University earn around $70,321 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,008.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from Lehigh University
Carnegie Mellon University came in at #10 for cognitive science this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pittsburgh. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of Carnegie Mellon University earn a median of $89,327 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cognitive science program at Carnegie Mellon University
Tufts University placed #11 among the best cognitive science schools. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $75,672 early in their careers. Tufts University graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans.
See the full cognitive science program report for Tufts University
University Of California Davis ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Davis awarded about 163 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $42,342. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans.
Read more about the cognitive science program at University Of California Davis
Vanderbilt University landed the #13 spot for cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Vanderbilt University awarded about 54 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $38,752 in their early career. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from Vanderbilt University
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 12 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree.
Read more about the cognitive science program at Columbia University In The City Of New York
Barnard College came in at #15 for cognitive science this year. Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. Barnard College awarded about 16 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of Barnard College earn a median of $50,790 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,609 to complete this degree.
See the full cognitive science program report for Barnard College
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #16 spot for cognitive science this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Dallas in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from The University Of Texas At Dallas earn around $44,752 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from The University Of Texas At Dallas
Rice University placed #17 among the best cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 32 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Rice University in the most recent year. Cognitive Science graduates of Rice University earn a median of $47,459 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full cognitive science details for Rice University
University Of California San Diego ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 708 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $39,839 in their early career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,481 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from University Of California San Diego
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 16 cognitive science degrees were awarded at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Students borrow a median of $20,778 to complete this degree.
See the full cognitive science program report for University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Pomona College earned the #20 position for cognitive science this year. Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Claremont. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Pomona College in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of Pomona College earn a median of $75,954 early in their careers.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from Pomona College
Occidental College earned the #21 position for cognitive science this year. Occidental College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. 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. Occidental College graduates carry a median of $22,967 in student loans.
Get the full cognitive science details for Occidental College
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #22 spot for cognitive science this year. University Of Minnesota Duluth is a large public school located in the city of Duluth. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Duluth generally make around $46,572. University Of Minnesota Duluth graduates carry a median of $24,624 in student loans.
Get the full cognitive science details for University Of Minnesota Duluth
University Of California Irvine landed the #23 spot for cognitive science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Irvine awarded about 38 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $50,958 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,539.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from University Of California Irvine
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #24 spot for cognitive science this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 130 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Students who receive their cognitive science degree from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn around $44,698 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans.
Get the full cognitive science details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Marquette University came in at #25 for cognitive science this year. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Marquette University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Marquette University in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of Marquette University earn a median of $60,443 early in their careers. Marquette University graduates carry a median of $24,122 in student loans.
More information about a degree in cognitive science from Marquette University
Rest of the Top 37 Cognitive Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best for cognitive science this year:
The ranking above is published 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 · 77 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).
