Best colleges for Cognitive Science in California
Program-level earnings — not school prestige — rank these. Among the California programs in the federal field-of-study file, Stanford University leads: its Cognitive Science graduates earn a median $131,650 four years after finishing, against the field's $81,496 national median. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026.)
| # | College | Grad earnings, 4 yrs | Vs field median |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University | $131,650 | +$50,154 |
| 2 | University of California-Berkeley | $120,193 | +$38,697 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles | $102,066 | +$20,570 |
| 4 | University of Southern California | $93,440 | +$11,944 |
| 5 | University of California-San Diego | $81,160 | -$336 |
| 6 | Occidental College | $78,782 | -$2,714 |
| 7 | University of California-Santa Cruz | $72,125 | -$9,371 |
| 8 | University of California-Davis | $68,463 | -$13,033 |
Frequently asked questions
Which California college is best for Cognitive Science?
By graduate earnings, Stanford University — its Cognitive Science bachelor's graduates earn a median $131,650 four years out, the highest of the 8 California programs in the federal file.
What do Cognitive Science graduates earn in California?
Across the ranked California programs, median earnings four years after completion run from $68,463 to $131,650. The field's national median is $81,496.
Is a Cognitive Science degree worth it?
On national medians, yes — Cognitive Science graduates earn $33,136/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. See the full field profile for payback math.