2026 Best Cognitive Science Master’s Degree Schools

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Cognitive Science master's degree schools in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Stanford, CA. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $8,055 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. More on Stanford University

#2

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

Cambridge, MA

You'll be in good company at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2 this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. About 96% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. See the full Massachusetts Institute Of Technology profile

#3

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Troy, NY

Out of the 77 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #3 spot. Based in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $24,975. Read the full report on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

#4

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #4 on this year's Cognitive Science ranking in the United States. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. About 94% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Johns Hopkins University Cognitive Science students take on a median of $13,426 in debt. More on Johns Hopkins University

#5

The University Of Texas At Dallas

Richardson, TX

The strong Cognitive Science programs at The University Of Texas At Dallas earned it the #5 place in the United States. Set in Richardson, TX, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, while out-of-state students pay about $40,144. Typical Cognitive Science student debt is $20,531. See the full The University Of Texas At Dallas profile

#6

University Of California San Diego

La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. Set in La Jolla, CA, University Of California San Diego is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Read more about University Of California San Diego

#7

University Of California Irvine

Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Irvine, CA, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete their Cognitive Science program here. More on University Of California Irvine

#8

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #8 in this year's ranking. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school based in Minneapolis, MN. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. The median Cognitive Science program debt is $21,577. Read the full report on University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

#9

University Of California Merced

Merced, CA

University Of California Merced ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. Based in Merced, CA, University Of California Merced is a public institution. University Of California Merced posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. More on University Of California Merced

#10

Duke University

Duke University landed the #10 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Duke University

#11

Barnard College

Barnard College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. See the full Barnard College profile

#12

Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University came in at #12 in this year's ranking. More on Vanderbilt University

#13

Occidental College

Occidental College did well this year, earning the #13 position. Get the full Occidental College report

#14

Columbia University In The City Of New York

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #14 in this year's ranking. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York

#15

George Mason University

George Mason University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. More on George Mason University

#16

Cornell University

Cornell University placed #16 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Cornell University

#17

Beloit College

Beloit College did well this year, earning the #17 position. Read the full report on Beloit College

#18

University Of Iowa

University Of Iowa placed #18 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Iowa

#19

Suny College At Oswego

Suny College At Oswego ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. Get the full Suny College At Oswego report

#20

Case Western Reserve University

Case Western Reserve University placed #20 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. See the full Case Western Reserve University profile

#21

University Of Memphis

University Of Memphis did well this year, earning the #21 position. See the full University Of Memphis profile

#22

Yale University

Yale University came in at #22 in this year's ranking. Get the full Yale University report

#23

Cuny Lehman College

Cuny Lehman College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. Read more about Cuny Lehman College

#24

Curry College

Curry College placed #24 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. See the full Curry College profile

#25

Loyola University New Orleans

Loyola University New Orleans came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Get the full Loyola University New Orleans report

#26

Minnesota State University Mankato

Minnesota State University Mankato placed #26 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. See the full Minnesota State University Mankato profile

#27

University Of Evansville

University Of Evansville ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. Read the full report on University Of Evansville

#28

Claremont Mckenna College

Claremont Mckenna College placed #28 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read more about Claremont Mckenna College

#29

Northwestern University

Northwestern University did well this year, earning the #29 position. Read more about Northwestern University

#30

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook University placed #30 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Stony Brook University

#31

George Fox University

George Fox University placed #31 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read more about George Fox University

#32

Pitzer College

Pitzer College placed #32 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read more about Pitzer College

#33

California State University Stanislaus

California State University Stanislaus landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on California State University Stanislaus

#34

University Of Colorado Boulder

University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Cognitive Science schools. Read the full report on University Of Colorado Boulder

#35

Brown University

Brown University placed #35 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. More on Brown University

#36

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #36 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

#37

University Of Chicago

University Of Chicago did well this year, earning the #37 position. Read more about University Of Chicago

#38

University Of Minnesota Duluth

University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #38 spot in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Minnesota Duluth report

#39

University Of Richmond

University Of Richmond did well this year, earning the #39 position. Read more about University Of Richmond

#40

Rice University

Rice University did well this year, earning the #40 position. Read the full report on Rice University

#41

Rutgers University New Brunswick

Rutgers University New Brunswick did well this year, earning the #41 position. Get the full Rutgers University New Brunswick report

#42

Scripps College

Scripps College placed #42 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. Get the full Scripps College report

#43

California State University Fresno

California State University Fresno came in at #43 in this year's ranking. More on California State University Fresno

#44

University Of Utah

University Of Utah landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. See the full University Of Utah profile

#45

Vassar College

Vassar College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. See the full Vassar College profile

#46

University At Buffalo

University At Buffalo landed the #46 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on University At Buffalo

#47

Franklin And Marshall College

Franklin And Marshall College did well this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Franklin And Marshall College report

#48

United States Military Academy

United States Military Academy placed #48 among Cognitive Science schools in the United States. More on United States Military Academy

#49

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Read more about University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

#50

Michigan Technological University

Michigan Technological University did well this year, earning the #50 position. More on Michigan Technological University