Cognitive Science graduates earn $81,496 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,334 and $130,402. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Cognitive Science is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduates typically earn around $81,496 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 73 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 2,959 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$41,362
Median Earnings · 4yr
$81,496
Colleges Offering
73
Graduates / Year
2,959
Avg Net Price / yr
$19,126
How Much Do Cognitive Science Graduates Earn?
Cognitive Science graduates earn $81,496 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,334 and $130,402. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $41,362 climbs to $81,496 by year four.
$41,362
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$81,496
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$79,016
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Cognitive Science graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.
$53,33425th pct.
$81,496Median
$130,40275th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $81,496 against an estimated $76,504 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 66 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 2,959 students who complete Cognitive Science programs each year, the majority (95%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
95%
Bachelor's95%
Doctorate3%
Master's2%
What Can You Do With a Cognitive Science Degree?
Cognitive Science connects to 3 occupations in the job market. Natural Sciences Managers leads at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group. May provide counseling, guidance, and leadership relative to marital, health, financial, and religious problems.
Develop or direct study courses or religious education programs within congregations.
Identify and recruit potential volunteer workers.
Select appropriate curricula or class structures for educational programs.
Teach or instruct individuals or groups for the primary purpose of self-enrichment or recreation, rather than for an occupational objective, educational attainment, competition, or fitness.
Instruct students individually and in groups, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, discussions, and demonstrations.
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
Prepare students for further development by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
Top Colleges for Cognitive Science
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Cognitive Science students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Cognitive Science graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Cognitive Science is one of 39 specializations within Interdisciplinary Studies. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Cognitive Science program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Cognitive Science shows 4 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $81,496 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $41,362 at graduation to $81,496 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 73,700 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $130,402, a strong ceiling for high performers.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
Cognitive Science graduates earn a national median of $81,496 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,334 and $130,402. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Cognitive Science degree?
One year after graduation, Cognitive Science degree holders earn a median of $41,362. That climbs to $81,496 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Cognitive Science degree?
Cognitive Science degree holders pursue careers including Natural Sciences Managers, which pays a median of $167,220/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Cognitive Science program take?
A Cognitive Science bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Cognitive Science?
73 colleges and universities in the United States offer Cognitive Science programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Cognitive Science degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $81,496 and an average net price of roughly $19,126/yr, a Cognitive Science degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Cognitive Science and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Cognitive Science is a focused concentration within the broader Interdisciplinary Studies field. The Interdisciplinary Studies major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Cognitive Science-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Cognitive Science graduates?
Employers hiring Cognitive Science graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
Is graduate school worth it for Cognitive Science graduates?
With a median salary of $81,496, graduate study in Cognitive Science can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Cognitive Science graduates?
The job outlook for Cognitive Science graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.2% job growth over the next 10 years. Natural Sciences Managers is among the strongest-growth roles at +3.7%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Other programs in Interdisciplinary Studies. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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H
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