Cognitive Science programs
CIP 3025 · Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
20 institutions report graduate earnings for Cognitive Science programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $78,899 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22× and 83% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, all 20 programs with a benchmark clear the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026).
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carnegie Mellon UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $162,106 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +330% | — |
| 2 | Stanford UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $131,650 n=22 | 79% 1yr | $7,500 | 0.06× | Above +242% | — |
| 3 | Tufts UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $130,801 n=22 | 83% 1yr | $18,000 | 0.14× | Above +201% | — |
| 4 | University of California-BerkeleyCA · Bachelor's | $120,193 n=232 | 89% 5yr | $14,589 | 0.12× | Above +213% | Clears 2/2 |
| 5 | University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $109,784 n=35 | 89% 5yr | $18,820 | 0.17× | Above +191% | Clears 2/2 |
| 6 | University of California-Los AngelesCA · Bachelor's | $102,066 n=45 | 85% 5yr | $13,000 | 0.13× | Above +165% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Bachelor's | $93,440 n=27 | 52% 1yr | $18,250 | 0.20× | Above +143% | — |
| 8 | University of Virginia-Main CampusVA · Bachelor's | $83,554 n=50 | 94% 5yr | $15,625 | 0.19× | Above +120% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | University of California-San DiegoCA · Bachelor's | $81,160 n=332 | 29% | $17,427 | 0.21× | Above +111% | Clears 2/2 |
| 10 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborMI · Bachelor's | $79,016 n=46 | 64% 1yr | $22,000 | 0.28× | Above +125% | — |
| 11 | Occidental CollegeCA · Bachelor's | $78,782 n=16 | — | $21,330 | 0.27× | Above +105% | — |
| 12 | State University of New York at OswegoNY · Bachelor's | $76,118 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +100% | — |
| 13 | University of California-Santa CruzCA · Bachelor's | $72,125 n=90 | 77% 5yr | $18,981 | 0.26× | Above +88% | Clears 2/2 |
| 14 | The University of Texas at DallasTX · Master's | $71,364 n=49 | 86% 5yr | $36,670 | 0.51× | Above +9% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | University of GeorgiaGA · Bachelor's | $69,169 n=16 | 83% 5yr | $15,000 | 0.22× | Above +96% | Clears 2/2 |
| 16 | University of California-DavisCA · Bachelor's | $68,463 n=62 | 64% 1yr | $15,000 | 0.22× | Above +78% | — |
| 17 | Washington University in St LouisMO · Bachelor's | $67,212 n=21 | 52% 1yr | $17,500 | 0.26× | Above +88% | — |
| 18 | Rice UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $66,913 n=18 | 100% 5yr | $13,000 | 0.19× | Above +87% | Clears 2/2 |
| 19 | University of DelawareDE · Bachelor's | $66,716 n=105 | 95% 5yr | $25,334 | 0.38× | Above +73% | Clears 2/2 |
| 20 | University of California-MercedCA · Bachelor's | $51,147 n=63 | 67% | $20,105 | 0.39× | Above +33% | Clears 2/2 |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| California | $81,160 | 9 |
States with at least 3 reporting Cognitive Science programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Cognitive Science programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Cognitive Science programs in this dataset are Carnegie Mellon University ($162,106), Stanford University ($131,650), Tufts University ($130,801). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Cognitive Science programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 0 of the 20 Cognitive Science programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.