Cognitive Science Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Interdisciplinary study of mind and intelligence, combining psychology, neuroscience, AI, and philosophy.
Starting Salary
$58K
median
Mid-Career
$95K
salary
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
3.5%
rate
Cognitive Science Overview
Interdisciplinary study of mind and intelligence, combining psychology, neuroscience, AI, and philosophy.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
68%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
20%
Lifetime Premium
$650K
Female Graduates
48%
Cognitive Science Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$19,800
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$19,800
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$630,200
Lifetime earnings premium ($650,000) minus net degree cost ($19,800)
Cognitive Science Salary Progression
Common Cognitive Science Careers
UX Researcher
Product Manager
AI Research Scientist
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Cognitive Science
#1
MIT
#2
UC San Diego
#3
Stanford
#4
Carnegie Mellon
#5
UC Berkeley
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Cognitive Science Degree FAQ
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