2026 Best Cognitive Science Schools in the Southeast Region

Cognitive Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their cognitive science programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 11 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 Southeast Region

Best Schools for Cognitive Science in the Southeast Region

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

Top Schools in Cognitive Science

1

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

54 Cognitive Science Degrees Awarded

$38,752 Median Starting Salary

No school ranked higher than Vanderbilt University this year for cognitive science. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 54 cognitive science students who graduated with this degree at Vanderbilt University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, cognitive science degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $38,752. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. More information about a degree in cognitive science from Vanderbilt University

2

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

39 Cognitive Science Degrees Awarded

$41,362 Median Starting Salary

University Of Georgia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in cognitive science, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 39 cognitive science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the cognitive science program make about $41,362 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in cognitive science from University Of Georgia

Notes and References

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 · 11 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.