2026 Best Cognitive Science Schools
Looking for the best Cognitive Science programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 77 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Cognitive Science Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Cognitive Science programs schools in the United States. Based in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Graduates carry a median of $8,055 in student loans. Read more about Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes Massachusetts Institute Of Technology one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Cambridge, MA, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates 96% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $13,516. Read the full report on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
The strong Cognitive Science programs at Carnegie Mellon University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Carnegie Mellon University is a private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,636. Graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. See the full Carnegie Mellon University profile
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the top choices in the United States. This public school is set in Berkeley, CA. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,950 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. Read more about University Of California Berkeley
A rank of #5 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top choices in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $18,660. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #6 spot in the United States this year. Based in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,078. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $24,975. More on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Yale University placed #7 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Located in New Haven, CT, Yale University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,250. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $14,357. Read the full report on Yale University
George Fox University landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Located in Newberg, OR, George Fox University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $41,320. Students borrow a median of $25,324 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. Read the full report on George Fox University
Rice University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. Based in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. Get the full Rice University report
Washington University In St Louis did well this year, earning the #10 position. Based in St. Louis, MO, Washington University In St Louis is a private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $65,790. Graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. See the full Washington University In St Louis profile
University Of Southern California landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. University Of Southern California is a private not-for-profit school based in Los Angeles, CA. University Of Southern California posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $19,669. Get the full University Of Southern California report
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. Set in Los Angeles, CA, University Of California Los Angeles is a public institution. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $13,000. Read more about University Of California Los Angeles
Tufts University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. Tufts University is a private not-for-profit school based in Medford, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. Get the full Tufts University report
Franklin And Marshall College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. Franklin And Marshall College is a private not-for-profit school based in Lancaster, PA. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $70,794. Graduates carry a median of $20,411 in student loans. Read the full report on Franklin And Marshall College
University Of Richmond did well this year, earning the #15 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in University of Richmond, VA. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,230. University Of Richmond Cognitive Science students take on a median of $21,634 in debt. Get the full University Of Richmond report
Rutgers University New Brunswick came in at #16 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,018 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. See the full Rutgers University New Brunswick profile
University Of California San Diego came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. University Of California San Diego posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,481 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. See the full University Of California San Diego profile
George Mason University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $23,529. Read the full report on George Mason University
Stony Brook University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. This public school is set in Stony Brook, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. Read the full report on Stony Brook University
Occidental College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Los Angeles, CA. Occidental College posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,274. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $22,967. See the full Occidental College profile
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. Indiana University Bloomington posts a six-year graduation rate of 80%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $20,542. More on Indiana University Bloomington
University Of California Davis came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $15,000. See the full University Of California Davis profile
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #23 spot in the United States this year. Based in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $22,500. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Vassar College landed the #24 spot in the United States this year. Vassar College is a private not-for-profit school based in Poughkeepsie, NY. About 91% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $71,030. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $18,486. See the full Vassar College profile
Arizona State University did well this year, earning the #25 position. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $21,842. Get the full Arizona State University report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Cognitive Science Schools in the United States
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
New York University landed the #26 spot in the United States this year. Set in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. New York University Cognitive Science students take on a median of $21,897 in debt. More on New York University
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. This public school is set in Boulder, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $20,373. Read more about University Of Colorado Boulder
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #28 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Based in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $14,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $20,531. Get the full The University Of Texas At Dallas report
Vanderbilt University landed the #29 spot in the United States this year. Vanderbilt University is a private not-for-profit school based in Nashville, TN. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. More on Vanderbilt University
University Of California Irvine came in at #30 in this year's ranking. University Of California Irvine is a public school based in Irvine, CA. About 87% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. Get the full University Of California Irvine report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #31 spot in the United States this year. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $20,778. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #32 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school based in Minneapolis, MN. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Cognitive Science students take on a median of $21,577 in debt. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
Johns Hopkins University placed #33 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. More on Johns Hopkins University
University Of Kentucky landed the #34 spot in the United States this year. Based in Lexington, KY, University Of Kentucky is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. In-state tuition and fees average $13,502, compared with $34,140 for out-of-state students. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $24,094. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
University Of Georgia placed #35 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Based in Athens, GA, University Of Georgia is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. Read more about University Of Georgia
Minnesota State University Mankato did well this year, earning the #36 position. Set in Mankato, MN, Minnesota State University Mankato is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,572, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $25,260. Get the full Minnesota State University Mankato report
University Of Delaware landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. Based in Newark, DE, University Of Delaware is a public institution. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. University Of Delaware Cognitive Science students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Delaware
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #38 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school based in Santa Cruz, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. University Of California Santa Cruz Cognitive Science students take on a median of $19,500 in debt. Get the full University Of California Santa Cruz report
University Of Memphis did well this year, earning the #39 position. Based in Memphis, TN, University Of Memphis is a public institution. About 51% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, while out-of-state students pay about $15,384. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $26,315. See the full University Of Memphis profile
University Of California Merced came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Based in Merced, CA, University Of California Merced is a public institution. University Of California Merced posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. See the full University Of California Merced profile
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Loyola University New Orleans report
Case Western Reserve University placed #42 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. More on Case Western Reserve University
Pomona College
Pomona College did well this year, earning the #43 position. Read more about Pomona College
Swarthmore College landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. More on Swarthmore College
University At Buffalo did well this year, earning the #45 position. Get the full University At Buffalo report
University Of Utah placed #46 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Utah
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #47 spot in the United States this year. More on University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Carleton College
Carleton College came in at #48 in this year's ranking. Get the full Carleton College report
Northwestern University came in at #49 in this year's ranking. See the full Northwestern University profile
Millsaps College
Millsaps College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Millsaps College
Best Cognitive Science Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Cognitive Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cognitive Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cognitive Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Cognitive Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Cognitive Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Cognitive Science Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Cognitive Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 77 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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