What is the starting salary for Cognitive Science graduates in Arlington?

The estimated starting salary for Cognitive Science graduates in Arlington, VA is $71,250 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 142.5. The national average starting salary for this major is $50,000. Salaries in Arlington are 43% higher than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Cognitive Science degree worth it in Arlington?

A Cognitive Science degree in Arlington has an estimated ROI payback period of 5.7 years, with a projected lifetime return of $804,278 after subtracting education costs. With 9 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $14,200/year, Arlington offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 2.2% and the major's national unemployment rate of 3.5% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Cognitive Science in Arlington?

The average annual public university tuition in Arlington is $14,200, while private universities average $38,000/year. Including room and board ($16,293/year), total 4-year costs range from $121,972 at a public school to $217,172 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Arlington is $10,637/year.

What jobs can Cognitive Science graduates get in Arlington?

Cognitive Science graduates in Arlington can pursue careers as UX Researcher, Product Manager, AI Research Scientist. Key skills valued by local employers include UX Research, Experimental Design, Programming, Human-Computer Interaction. The Arlington job market features Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include Google, Apple, Microsoft.

How long to pay off student loans for Cognitive Science in Arlington?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Cognitive Science graduates in Arlington would pay $1,385/month on an estimated $121,972 in loans, with $44,224 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $2,387/month but save $23,005 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $71,250, monthly payments would represent 23% of gross monthly income.

Cognitive Science Degree in Arlington, VA — Salary & ROI 2026

Cognitive Science degree analysis for Arlington, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$71K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$135K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.7 yrs

in Arlington

Cost of Living

142.5

index (100 = avg)

Cognitive Science in Arlington, VA Overview

Arlington, Virginia (pop. 238,643) has 9 colleges offering Cognitive Science programs. The local cost of living index of 142.5 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $2,040/month. Cognitive Science has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for UX Research and Experimental Design skills. The adjusted starting salary in Arlington is approximately $71,250, growing to $135,375 by mid-career.

Cognitive Science Salary in Arlington (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Arlington's cost of living index of 142.5 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$71,250(+$21,250 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$135,375(+$40,375 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$171,000(+$51,000 vs national)

Note: National average Cognitive Science salary: $50,000 starting, $95,000 mid-career, $120,000 senior level.Arlington adjustment factor: 1.43x based on the local cost of living index.

Cognitive Science ROI Calculator for Arlington

Estimate your return on investment for a Cognitive Science degree using local Arlington tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Arlington avg aid: $10,637/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$121,972

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$21,375

vs HS diploma in Arlington

ROI Payback Period

5.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Arlington

$804,278

Lifetime earnings premium ($926,250) minus total education cost ($121,972)

Student Loan Payoff for Cognitive Science in Arlington

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$121,972

Monthly Payment$1,385

Total Interest$44,224

% of Monthly Income23%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$121,972

Monthly Payment$2,387

Total Interest$21,219

Interest Savings$23,005

Colleges in Arlington for Cognitive Science

Arlington State University

public

$14,920/yr

$59,680 total

University of Arlington

public

$14,115/yr

$56,460 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Arlington Community College

$6,397/yr

Virginia Technical College - Arlington

$5,927/yr

Top Employers for Cognitive Science in Arlington

Arlington offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Cognitive Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:

GoogleAppleMicrosoftMetaUX Research Firms

Key Arlington Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Cognitive Science Job Titles

UX ResearcherProduct ManagerAI Research Scientist

Cognitive Science in Nearby Virginia Cities

Virginia Beach, VA

$44K starting · COL 88

13 colleges

Chesapeake, VA

$46K starting · COL 91

12 colleges

Norfolk, VA

$47K starting · COL 93

16 colleges

Richmond, VA

$50K starting · COL 100

11 colleges

Newport News, VA

$46K starting · COL 92.5

7 colleges

Alexandria, VA

$51K starting · COL 102

8 colleges

Hampton, VA

$49K starting · COL 97

7 colleges

Roanoke, VA

$44K starting · COL 88.5

4 colleges

Other STEM Majors in Arlington

Prompt Engineering

$71K starting · 1.5 yr ROI

Computational Linguistics

$135K starting · 2 yr ROI

Computer Science

$121K starting · 2.8 yr ROI

Software Engineering

$125K starting · 2.7 yr ROI

Data Science

$117K starting · 3 yr ROI

Astrophysics

$121K starting · 3 yr ROI

Actuarial Science

$71K starting · 3 yr ROI

Cybersecurity

$114K starting · 3 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Cognitive Science degree outcomes in Arlington, VA: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Cognitive Science programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Virginia.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Arlington using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Cognitive Science graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Cognitive Science career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Cognitive Science grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Arlington Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Virginia students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Virginia)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Virginia programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "virginia higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Cognitive Science Degree in Arlington — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Cognitive Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Arlington.

Cognitive Science Overview Colleges in Arlington All Majors