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#1

#1 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA

In general, the University of California-San Diego is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

24%

Annual Degrees Awarded

717

SAT Score

1,290–1,490

Est. Net Price *

$16,111

Median Starting Salary

$48,835

#2

#2 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA

In general, the University of California-Berkeley is a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

11%

Annual Degrees Awarded

204

SAT Score

1,330–1,540

Est. Net Price *

$19,257

Median Starting Salary

$46,900

#3

#3 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

the University of California-Los Angeles is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

9%

Annual Degrees Awarded

204

SAT Score

1,320–1,540

Est. Net Price *

$16,999

Median Starting Salary

$47,755

#4

#4 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Every year, the Stanford Admissions Department receives about 56,000 applications.

Acceptance Rate

4%

Annual Degrees Awarded

63

SAT Score

1,490–1,570

Est. Net Price *

$18,279

Median Starting Salary

$48,155

#5

#5 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA

MIT is a very selective school, choosing to accept only 4 or 1,340 out of 34,000 applicants.

Acceptance Rate

4%

Annual Degrees Awarded

40

SAT Score

1,540–1,590

Est. Net Price *

$20,232

Median Starting Salary

$47,752

#6

#6 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Yale University
New Haven, CT

When applying for Yale, it is extremely important to keep in mind that they are one of the most selective...

Acceptance Rate

5%

Annual Degrees Awarded

39

SAT Score

1,490–1,570

Est. Net Price *

$18,647

Median Starting Salary

$48,142

#7

#7 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University is a extremely selective school. The institution receives about 31,000 applications annually.

Acceptance Rate

9%

Annual Degrees Awarded

38

SAT Score

1,500–1,580

Est. Net Price *

$19,902

Median Starting Salary

$51,477

#8

#8 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

the University of California-Santa Cruz is known for being a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

47%

Annual Degrees Awarded

128

SAT Score

1,180–1,390

Est. Net Price *

$17,975

Median Starting Salary

$51,036

#9

#9 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

Every year, Penn receives approximately 54,600 applications from prospective freshman with an acceptance...

Acceptance Rate

6%

Annual Degrees Awarded

66

SAT Score

1,500–1,560

Est. Net Price *

$26,123

Median Starting Salary

$47,646

#10

#10 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO

Washington University in St Louis is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

12%

Annual Degrees Awarded

50

SAT Score

1,480–1,560

Est. Net Price *

$23,432

Median Starting Salary

$55,521

#11

#11 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Vassar College is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

19%

Annual Degrees Awarded

23

SAT Score

1,430–1,530

Est. Net Price *

$30,603

Median Starting Salary

$54,206

#12

#12 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of California-Davis
Davis, CA

the University of California-Davis is a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

37%

Annual Degrees Awarded

153

SAT Score

1,180–1,420

Est. Net Price *

$17,385

Median Starting Salary

$49,792

#13

#13 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA

Occidental College is a highly selective school. They receive about 6,310 applications every admission cycle.

Acceptance Rate

39%

Annual Degrees Awarded

20

SAT Score

1,390–1,510

Est. Net Price *

$44,853

Median Starting Salary

$55,438

#14

#14 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

10%

Annual Degrees Awarded

30

SAT Score

1,460–1,550

Est. Net Price *

$30,479

Median Starting Salary

$55,381

#15

#15 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

7%

Annual Degrees Awarded

32

SAT Score

1,500–1,560

Est. Net Price *

$25,606

Median Starting Salary

$49,833

#16

#16 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Every year, approximately 28,300 students apply to Dartmouth through the Common Application.

Acceptance Rate

6%

Annual Degrees Awarded

20

SAT Score

1,490–1,570

Est. Net Price *

$19,208

Median Starting Salary

$51,993

#17

#17 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

7%

Annual Degrees Awarded

25

SAT Score

1,520–1,570

Est. Net Price *

$24,034

Median Starting Salary

$53,550

#18

#18 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

Generally, the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

18%

Annual Degrees Awarded

89

SAT Score

1,370–1,530

Est. Net Price *

$19,318

Median Starting Salary

$52,832

#19

#19 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Pomona College
Claremont, CA

As a liberal arts college, Pomona looks for students who have a strong academic ability but also show a...

Acceptance Rate

7%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

1,480–1,560

Est. Net Price *

$19,962

Median Starting Salary

$49,076

#20

#20 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of California-Merced
Merced, CA

Generally, the University of California-Merced is a non selective school.

Acceptance Rate

89%

Annual Degrees Awarded

66

SAT Score

980–1,160

Est. Net Price *

$13,549

Median Starting Salary

$51,451

#21

#21 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

United States Military Academy
West Point, NY

Overall, United States Military Academy is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

12%

Annual Degrees Awarded

21

SAT Score

1,250–1,460

Est. Net Price *

$0

Median Starting Salary

$50,698

#22

#22 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of Delaware
Newark, DE

Overall, the University of Delaware is a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

74%

Annual Degrees Awarded

67

SAT Score

1,200–1,370

Est. Net Price *

$18,044

Median Starting Salary

$62,059

#23

#23 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

In general, the University of Southern California is a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

12%

Annual Degrees Awarded

58

SAT Score

1,450–1,550

Est. Net Price *

$36,808

Median Starting Salary

$49,280

#24

#24 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA

Swarthmore is one of the most selective schools in the country, choosing to accept only about 1,020 of 14,700...

Acceptance Rate

7%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

1,440–1,560

Est. Net Price *

$20,715

Median Starting Salary

$49,167

#25

#25 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Generally, Carleton College is a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

17%

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

1,430–1,550

Est. Net Price *

$31,494

Median Starting Salary

$55,029

#26

#26 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH

In general, Case Western Reserve University is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

27%

Annual Degrees Awarded

20

SAT Score

1,420–1,540

Est. Net Price *

$38,279

Median Starting Salary

$56,057

#27

#27 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

In general, Carnegie Mellon University is a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

11%

Annual Degrees Awarded

17

SAT Score

1,500–1,570

Est. Net Price *

$33,499

Median Starting Salary

$55,248

#28

#28 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke is one of the most selective schools in the country, only admitting 3,200 out of 50,000 applications.

Acceptance Rate

6%

Annual Degrees Awarded

7

SAT Score

1,500–1,560

Est. Net Price *

$23,694

Median Starting Salary

$51,239

#29

#29 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Brown University
Providence, RI

Every year, 50,600 students apply to Brown University through the Common Application.

Acceptance Rate

5%

Annual Degrees Awarded

5

SAT Score

1,500–1,590

Est. Net Price *

$26,723

Median Starting Salary

$54,701

#30

#30 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of Georgia
Athens, GA

the University of Georgia is known for being a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

43%

Annual Degrees Awarded

52

SAT Score

1,250–1,430

Est. Net Price *

$17,180

Median Starting Salary

$54,475

#31

#31 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University is known for being a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

37%

Annual Degrees Awarded

9

SAT Score

1,350–1,490

Est. Net Price *

$30,453

Median Starting Salary

$56,038

#32

#32 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Scripps College
Claremont, CA

Overall, Scripps College is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

28%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,410–1,510

Est. Net Price *

$43,923

Median Starting Salary

$56,242

#33

#33 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

New York University
New York, NY

Generally, New York University is a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

12%

Annual Degrees Awarded

8

SAT Score

1,470–1,570

Est. Net Price *

$29,499

Median Starting Salary

$51,585

#34

#34 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Rutgers University-New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

In general, Rutgers University-New Brunswick is known for being a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

66%

Annual Degrees Awarded

42

SAT Score

1,280–1,480

Est. Net Price *

$17,535

Median Starting Salary

$51,118

#35

#35 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of Richmond
University of Richmond, VA

the University of Richmond is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

24%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

1,420–1,520

Est. Net Price *

$29,248

Median Starting Salary

$54,696

#36

#36 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Pitzer College
Claremont, CA

Overall, Pitzer College is known for being a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

18%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

1,190–1,370

Est. Net Price *

$39,809

Median Starting Salary

$58,420

#37

#37 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Franklin and Marshall College
Lancaster, PA

Franklin and Marshall College is known for being a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

36%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,330–1,450

Est. Net Price *

$31,135

Median Starting Salary

$60,288

#38

#38 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY

Generally, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is known for being a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

65%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,370–1,520

Est. Net Price *

$39,127

Median Starting Salary

$55,850

#39

#39 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign, IL

In general, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a highly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

45%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

1,330–1,510

Est. Net Price *

$14,544

Median Starting Salary

$53,272

#40

#40 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI

Marquette University is known for being a non selective school.

Acceptance Rate

87%

Annual Degrees Awarded

11

SAT Score

1,220–1,390

Est. Net Price *

$33,136

Median Starting Salary

$59,687

#41

#41 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Indiana University-Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University-Bloomington is known for being a somewhat selective school.

Acceptance Rate

82%

Annual Degrees Awarded

10

SAT Score

1,220–1,420

Est. Net Price *

$16,234

Median Starting Salary

$57,510

#42

#42 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

The University of Texas at Dallas
Richardson, TX

Overall, The University of Texas at Dallas is a somewhat selective school.

Acceptance Rate

85%

Annual Degrees Awarded

29

SAT Score

1,180–1,430

Est. Net Price *

$13,555

Median Starting Salary

$49,464

#43

#43 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA

the University of California-Irvine is a extremely selective school.

Acceptance Rate

21%

Annual Degrees Awarded

15

SAT Score

1,240–1,440

Est. Net Price *

$14,033

Median Starting Salary

$49,406

#44

#44 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

George Fox University
Newberg, OR

In general, George Fox University is a non selective school.

Acceptance Rate

92%

Annual Degrees Awarded

4

SAT Score

1,060–1,300

Est. Net Price *

$28,840

Median Starting Salary

$56,795

#45

#45 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of Evansville
Evansville, IN

the University of Evansville is known for being a somewhat selective school.

Acceptance Rate

76%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,060–1,310

Est. Net Price *

$19,301

Median Starting Salary

$56,432

#46

#46 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN

the University of Minnesota Duluth is a somewhat selective school.

Acceptance Rate

81%

Annual Degrees Awarded

6

SAT Score

1,110–1,320

Est. Net Price *

$18,031

Median Starting Salary

$59,098

#47

#47 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Loyola University New Orleans
New Orleans, LA

Loyola University New Orleans is known for being a somewhat selective school.

Acceptance Rate

78%

Annual Degrees Awarded

2

SAT Score

1,070–1,240

Est. Net Price *

$23,808

Median Starting Salary

$56,232

#48

#48 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

Minnesota State University-Mankato
Mankato, MN

Minnesota State University-Mankato is known for being a fairly selective school.

Acceptance Rate

71%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

970–1,140

Est. Net Price *

$16,809

Median Starting Salary

$58,496

#49

#49 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

California State University-Stanislaus
Turlock, CA

California State University-Stanislaus is known for being a non selective school.

Acceptance Rate

97%

Annual Degrees Awarded

3

SAT Score

840–1,060

Est. Net Price *

$7,555

Median Starting Salary

$52,695

#50

#50 Best College for Cognitive Science in the U.S.

California State University-Fresno
Fresno, CA

California State University-Fresno is a non selective school.

Acceptance Rate

95%

Annual Degrees Awarded

1

SAT Score

890–1,100

Est. Net Price *

$7,507

Median Starting Salary

$52,437

*The estimated net prices above are College Raptor’s estimate. Please contact the college financial aid office for actual net cost figures.

About Cognitive Science

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.

While Cognitive Science has degrees up to the Post masters certificate, most students earn a Bachelors degree. Students study Cognitive Science all around the US, though the major at the Bachelors degree level has the most graduates in California. The average starting salary for a graduate with a bachelor's degree in Cognitive Science is $47,533.

Popularity of Cognitive Science Degrees in the U.S.
This heat map represents the states that have the highest percent of Cognitive Science degrees compared to all other degrees awarded in that state.
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Careers

Some top jobs related to Cognitive Science, include Natural Sciences Managers, which have lots of job openings. Though there are higher paying careers, like Postsecondary Teachers, All Other. The most in-demand position for Cognitive Science majors is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other.

Top Paying Careers

These are the highest paying careers for Cognitive Science majors.

Most In-Demand Careers

These are the careers in highest demand for Cognitive Science majors.

Student Demographics

Total Students
2,433
Female Students
1,535 (63%)
Male Students
898 (36%)

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