ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Cognitive Science Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

7 Colleges in the United States
311 Cognitive Science Degrees Awarded
$63,247 Avg Early-Career Salary

Cognitive Science is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 20 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best cognitive science schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/cognitive-science/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 11
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 30.25), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.6
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Diploma Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.6)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "General Psychology (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "General Psychology (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Psychology Bachelors Programs (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology EdS Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Psychology EdS Programs (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Psychology Graduate Certificate Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Psychology PhD Programs (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Psychology PsyD Programs (I Have a Masters)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Psychology PsyD Programs (I Have a Masters)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Science & Engineering Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" with relevance 0.5
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Science & Engineering Masters Programs (I Have a Bachelors)" REJECTED (relevance 0.5)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

Best Schools for Cognitive Science in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall cognitive science education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Cognitive Science

1

Leading the list is Johns Hopkins University, our #1 school for cognitive science. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Get the full cognitive science details for Johns Hopkins University

2
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Students looking for a strong cognitive science program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $84,314. Typical student debt for the program is $18,660. Get the full cognitive science details for University Of Pennsylvania

3
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best cognitive science schools. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 20 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Cognitive Science graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,008 to complete this degree. Get the full cognitive science details for Lehigh University

4

A rank of #4 makes Carnegie Mellon University one of the top schools for cognitive science. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Carnegie Mellon University awarded about 14 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in cognitive science from Carnegie Mellon University

5

A rank of #5 makes Columbia University In The City Of New York one of the top schools for cognitive science. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 96% of students finish within six years. Columbia University In The City Of New York awarded about 12 cognitive science degrees 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. Read more about the cognitive science program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

6
Barnard College crest
Barnard College
New York, NY

Barnard College came in at #6 for cognitive science this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of New York. About 93% of students finish within six years. About 16 cognitive science degrees were awarded at Barnard College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. Barnard College graduates carry a median of $17,609 in student loans. Read more about the cognitive science program at Barnard College

7

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute placed #7 among the best cognitive science schools. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Troy. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute awarded about 19 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data 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. More information about a degree in cognitive science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

8

University Of Delaware earned the #8 position for cognitive science this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. University Of Delaware awarded about 60 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full cognitive science details for University Of Delaware

9
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #9 for cognitive science this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 29 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897. Get the full cognitive science details for New York University

10

Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #10 for cognitive science this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 40 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Cognitive Science graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $38,132 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,018 to complete this degree. Read more about the cognitive science program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

11
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College placed #11 among the best cognitive science schools. Located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie, Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Vassar College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $37,412 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,486 to complete this degree. Get the full cognitive science details for Vassar College

ADBLOCK #173
View All Cognitive Science Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options