cognitive science phd programs rankings

Best Universities for Cognitive Science in the World

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in the World ranked based on their research performance in Cognitive Science. A graph of 82.6M citations received by 3.09M academic papers made by 3,939 universities in the World was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University College London

For Cognitive Science

2. Harvard University

3. Stanford University

4. University of Oxford

5. University of California - Berkeley

6. University of Toronto

7. University of California-San Diego

8. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

9. Carnegie Mellon University

10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

11. New York University

12. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

13. University of Cambridge

14. Yale University

15. Johns Hopkins University

16. Columbia University

17. University of California - Los Angeles

18. University of Washington - Seattle

19. University of Pennsylvania

20. University of British Columbia

21. Cornell University

22. McGill University

23. Princeton University

24. University of Pittsburgh

25. Washington University in St Louis

26. University of Southern California

27. Catholic University of Leuven

28. University of Wisconsin - Madison

29. University of Amsterdam

30. University of Texas at Austin

31. Tsinghua University

32. University of Maryland - College Park

33. Boston University

34. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

35. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

36. Northwestern University

37. Radboud University

38. Ohio State University

39. University of Chicago

40. University of California - Davis

41. Duke University

42. University of Iowa

43. University of Sydney

44. Michigan State University

45. University of California - San Francisco

46. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

47. Nanyang Technological University

48. University of Florida

49. University of California - Irvine

50. Vanderbilt University

51. Western University

52. Shanghai Jiao Tong University

53. Pennsylvania State University

54. University of New South Wales

55. University of Arizona

56. University of Tokyo

57. Georgia Institute of Technology

58. University of Manchester

59. University of Queensland

60. University of Montreal

61. California Institute of Technology

62. University of Rochester

63. University of Edinburgh

64. National University of Singapore

65. University of Waterloo

66. Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne

67. Harbin Institute of Technology

68. Imperial College London

69. University of Bristol

70. University of Melbourne

71. Xidian University

72. Arizona State University - Tempe

73. Florida State University

74. King's College London

75. Emory University

76. University of California - Santa Barbara

77. Zhejiang University

78. Purdue University

79. Tel Aviv University

80. University of Alberta

81. Wuhan University

82. Chinese University of Hong Kong

83. Peking University

84. University of Zurich

85. Hong Kong Polytechnic University

86. Xi'an Jiaotong University

87. University of Hong Kong

88. Monash University

89. University of Virginia

90. Hebrew University of Jerusalem

91. McMaster University

92. University of Tubingen

93. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich

94. Utrecht University

95. Karolinska Institute

96. Huazhong University of Science and Technology

97. University of Helsinki

98. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

99. University of Science and Technology of China

100. University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

Psychology subfields in the World

Department of Cognitive Science

Phd program.

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The Department of Cognitive Science PhD program’s primary goal is to train a new generation of cognitive scientists who can meld multiple existing disciplines into a new, genuinely integrated science of the mind/brain.

A secondary goal is to train graduates who are competitive for positions in traditional disciplinary departments at research universities. Because many of the most exciting research developments recognized within the related traditional disciplines arise through interdisciplinary research, the training in cognitive science offered by our department can promote a graduate’s attractiveness as a candidate for positions in a variety of departments.

For example, a student who is studying language processing in normal and brain-damaged subjects, and is trained in the methods of both cognitive neuropsychology and neuroimaging, with a solid foundation in theoretical linguistics and additional coursework in psychology or neuroscience, is potentially employable in a number of departments. A student with in-depth training in theoretical phonology, a solid background in computational and psychological approaches to phonological research, and ancillary training in other branches of linguistics is well positioned to conduct state-of-the-art research and teaching valuable for both a linguistics department and a cognitive science program.

The training we offer in cognitive science is highly interdisciplinary, strongly theoretically oriented, and integrated to an extent only possible within a department of cognitive science.

Our Training

The interdisciplinary training provided to all PhD students includes:

• Cognitive psychology and neuropsychology
• Computational approaches to cognition
• Generative linguistics
• Philosophy of mind
• Cognitive neuroscience
• Teaching experience in a range of areas within cognitive science
• Coursework introducing the full range of formal methods used throughout cognitive science
• Computational analysis
• Computer modeling
• Empirical psychology
• Empirical neuroscience
• Linguistic analysis
• Brain imaging
• Philosophical analysis
• In-depth interdisciplinary training in an area of expertise, with ancillary preparation for a faculty position in a traditional discipline.

Research Experience

In addition, PhD students are provided extensive experience integrating the theory and methods of diverse cognitive sub-disciplines through specially designed integrative courses and regular seminars involving the entire department.

Our program can offer such a breadth and depth of training because, unlike departments in the allied disciplines, in a department of cognitive science, 100% of graduate training can be focused on cognition. Integrated training across the spectrum of cognitive methods allows students to emerge from graduate school as professional cognitive scientists.

Please see the navigation menu for additional information on the PhD program in cognitive science, such as PhD requirements .

Graduate Student Resources

• Cognitive Science Graduate Handbook
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Charley Beller, PhD 2013

I really valued being part of the JHU Cognitive Science department. The training and mentoring I received were crucial to my scientific development; especially the department’s commitment to equipping students […]

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Cognition and Neuroscience PhD

This degree offers a Cognitive or Systems and Cellular Neuroscience Track

In order to find out about ongoing research opportunities, search our faculty, and learn about admissions, please choose either the (1) Cognitive Neuroscience or (2) Systems and Cellular Neuroscience track by selecting one of the two buttons below.

Choose Your Preferred Track

What’s the difference between “cognitive” and “systems and cellular” neuroscience tracks.

Cognitive neuroscience research in the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences (BBS) includes research in human psychology, including memory, perception, music and addiction. It is centered in our Department of Psychology and utilizes human neuroimaging tools such as MRI, EEG and PET. New students are directly admitted to a single research laboratory.

Systems and cellular neuroscience research in BBS focuses on neurobiological approaches in neuroscience, including molecular, cellular and systems approaches in animal models and humans. Research foci include learning and memory, stress, addiction and pain. It is centered in our Department of Neuroscience . New students typically rotate through multiple research laboratories to choose a dissertation laboratory.

All Program Faculty

Cognition and neuroscience phd faq.

Financial support of full-time doctoral students in cognition and neuroscience is awarded through teaching or research assistantship stipends, as well as tuition scholarships. Admitted students are automatically eligible for these sources of financial support. Please see the UT Dallas Graduate Admissions site for information on other sources of financial support for PhD students.

The University of Texas at Dallas in 2019 was ranked third among U.S. universities founded in the past 50 years and is in the top 20 such universities worldwide. The total enrollment is approximately 30,000, with more than 8,000 graduate students. The main UT Dallas campus is in Richardson, Texas — about 15 miles north of downtown Dallas. However, several research centers of the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences are located in Dallas, near the campus of the UT Southwestern Medical Center. Both Richardson and Dallas are vibrant with opportunities for art, drama, music, athletics, and other activities. Visit the UT Dallas visitors website for more information about the University.

Richardson and Dallas are richly diverse cities located in one of America’s largest and fastest growing metropolitan areas. The Dallas area boasts 50,000 acres of public park land, the nation’s largest urban arts district with an excellent symphony orchestra, opera, and art museums, five major sports franchises, multiple entertainment districts, and a thriving culinary scene. The DART rail system runs from the suburbs of Plano and Richardson to the arts district, downtown Dallas, and DFW airport. Yes, it is hot in the summer, but the average annual daily temperature is 65 degrees (spring, fall, and winter are great!). The area offers a reasonable cost of living and an abundance of sunshine.

Most doctoral classes are held on the main UT Dallas campus in Richardson. Depending on the lab location of your faculty advisor, your duties as a research assistant may take place on the main campus in Richardson or at one of the centers in Dallas. Some student housing is available on the main campus in Richardson, but on-campus housing caters primarily to undergraduates. You can use online search engines to find options that fit your price range and target location.

The admissions committee evaluates applications on several dimensions, including research experience, GPA and GRE scores (optional for both tracks), letters of recommendation and personal statements. In addition, the fit between the research interests of the applicant and faculty is very important. One to three preferred faculty mentors should be named in the application.

The admissions committee invites a short list of qualified candidates to visit UT Dallas for an interview. Admissions decisions generally are made in February, and admissions offers must be accepted or declined by April 15 .

Yes. We encourage you to identify faculty who share your research interests and contact them about current opportunities for admission. A primary consideration in PhD admission in the Cognitive Neuroscience track is a faculty member’s agreement to serve as a student’s mentor. For the Systems and Cellular Neuroscience track , there are options to do rotations with multiple faculty to determine the best fit for you.

Decisions on admission are made in mid- to late-February.

There typically are 70-80 students enrolled in the cognition and neuroscience PhD program. We accept, on average, 10-20 new students per fall semester.

Over the last five years, the cognition and neuroscience program has graduated 43 PhD students. Of the 43 graduates, 30 have continued their careers at institutions of higher education, while 11 of our graduates have found employment in the private sector.

The PhD program in cognition and neuroscience overlaps with other programs in BBS. For example, many students do research and take courses in neuroscience, psychology and audiology. BBS provides an atmosphere where students are encouraged to learn from and work with experts in other programs. The cognition and neuroscience program can be distinguished from the other BBS programs by the focus on understanding the neural basis of behavior, cognition, perception, and sensory and motor processing.

This depends on your goals. The master’s degree is appropriate for students interested in cognition and neuroscience training beyond the undergraduate level, or additional training to prepare them for doctoral programs or medical school. The PhD program is appropriate for students interested in careers in research and teaching and involves extensive training in research design and methodology.

These two programs have a number of things in common. There is overlap in some coursework of these programs and many of the faculty members involved in the Cognitive Neuroscience track are involved with both programs. The cognition and neuroscience program focuses more narrowly on cognitive neuroscience or systems and cellular neuroscience, including basic neurobiology (e.g., animal behavior and neurophysiology). The psychology program allows for broader training in psychology; students can select a concentration in developmental psychology, cognitive psychology or social/personality psychology. One way to decide what program may be best for you is to think about what type of department with which you see yourself affiliated in the future, and which degree best serves your career goals. The main departments serving the PhD programs are the Department of Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, and Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing.

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Brain and Cognitive Sciences PhD Program

Graduate students in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences are among the sharpest, most innovative brain scientists to be found anywhere. In a given year the department admits 5 to 10 percent of applicants, and our PhD program is consistently ranked among the best in the world. Students work hard to get here, and they are highly valued in the BCS community.

Innovative:  Our students often take on riskier projects and pilot studies that probe the edges of our technical and scientific knowledge. They can move among projects more easily, and their successes lay the foundation for not only their careers but the future directions of their mentors’ labs.

Collaborative:  Our students bring bold, fresh thinking to the department, and exploring these potentially transformative ideas often means reaching across boundaries of lab, center, and department to build new collaborations. Graduate students help BCS mesh with the rest of MIT.

Supportive: Graduate students are the most frequent mentors of undergraduate students in UROPs , actively guiding and developing those who will become the next generation of top-tier graduate students. BCS graduate students also are helping make sure the department is a welcoming, inclusive, and equitable community.

Overview of the Program

Graduate students in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences work with an advisor and advisory committee to pursue an innovative and rigorous program of original research. Students should aim to complete their PhD in five to six years.  

• Students take three to four of their required six courses
• Students complete required Responsible Conduct in Science training.
• Students complete a minimum of three lab rotations by March 31.
• Students select a thesis advisor by April 30.    
• Students complete the remaining two to three of their academic course requirements by the end of the Spring Term.
• Students complete teaching assistant training and their first teaching (TA) requirement.
• Students form their qualifying exam advisory committee, have their first committee meeting, and turn in the completed committee meeting form to BCS HQ by the end of the Spring Term.   
• Students complete the second teaching (TA) requirement.
• Students complete the written and oral qualifying exam in October or November.  
• Students form a thesis committee, submit a written thesis proposal to their committee, orally present their proposal to the thesis committee, and receive committee approval, before the end of the Spring Term.
• Students must meet with their thesis committee once per year.
• Students take the final steps to completing the PhD oral examination (also known as the thesis defense) and submission of the approved written dissertation.

For detailed information on courses, rotations, and other program requirements, see Program Details .

University of Rochester

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School of Arts & Sciences

Brain and Cognitive Sciences

• Graduate Program

According to the most recent National Research Council rankings, the graduate program in brain and cognitive sciences (BCS) at the University of Rochester is ranked as high as  fourth nationally among 236 PhD programs in cognitive science and psychology  (based on both the S-range and R-range measures). The BCS faculty ranked as high as third nationally for research according to the Faculty Research Activity measure. For more information see the  Data-Based Assessment of Research-Doctorate Programs  and the  sortable list of rankings .

Our Approach

Graduate education is a central part of academic life in the department. All of our faculty are invested in research structured to include graduate students as essential partners. Graduate students in the department are our junior colleagues and future peers—people who enrich our academic lives as much as we enrich theirs—and we commit a great deal to their training.

The essence of our graduate program is training for research in the disciplines that constitute the brain and cognitive sciences. Initially a student's research is likely to be undertaken with close guidance from a member of the faculty, but we expect and encourage students to develop rapidly into independent researchers, and to become major contributors to the intellectual life of the department.

We attach great importance to the collegiality of contact among graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and faculty. The department fosters this by encouraging students to work with several faculty members and with one another.

We also value the public discussion of our science, and through a range of research  meetings, colloquia, and lecture series ,  students and faculty are regularly brought together. We encourage students to discuss their work in the larger scientific community, and the department supports students' attendance at scientific meetings.

Our PhD Program

The continued growth in the field of brain and cognitive sciences results in large part from the capacity to draw on  techniques and inspiration from a range of disciplines . Our doctoral program emphasizes training in the range of interdisciplinary research methods that drive the field.

While our focus is on behavior and the brain activity that underlies it, we encourage students to undertake projects in several laboratories that use different research methods, and we provide courses that introduce students to the range of methods we use.

At the same time, we do not expect students to master all domains. Knowing that disciplinary specialization is necessary and desirable, we try to ensure that each student develops real expertise in their chosen field of specialization.

Our program draws on not only on our own resources, but also on those of associated  research centers and departments . It is not uncommon for graduate students seeking to understand particular aspects of behavior to  undertake projects with faculty and students from outside the department . Conversely, our faculty often  work closely with graduate students from other programs and departments . This fluidity is one of our program’s greatest strengths, and we work hard to maintain it.

Although research training is paramount, we recognize that we are training future academics, many of whom will combine teaching with research. All graduate students therefore also  undertake some teaching , usually as assistants to faculty in lecture or laboratory courses.

Note: The department does not offer a program leading to a master's degree.

Interdepartmental Opportunities

Through our collaborative ties, students may also take advantage of training, courses, and joint research opportunities through the Department of Psychology and their PhD training programs in Clinical, Developmental, and Social Psychology.

Cognitive Science Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Degree

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RIT’s cognitive science Ph.D. provides an interdisciplinary study of the human mind that combines insights from psychology, computer science, linguistics, neuroscience, augmented reality, and philosophy.

STEM-OPT Visa Eligible

Overview for Cognitive Science Ph.D.

Students in the Ph.D. in cognitive science conduct research on human perception, cognition, action, and language with a focus on the representation and processing of information within biological and computational frameworks. The cognitive science Ph.D. prepares students for careers in academia or industry and develops abilities to analyze data, grasp complex concepts, and interpret and communicate concepts for a wider audience. Faculty advisors come from across the RIT campus to create a thriving, interdisciplinary community that supports students on their path to becoming independent scholars.

Interdisciplinary Curriculum

The cognitive science program is jointly delivered by faculty experts from five RIT colleges, allowing students to develop valuable, career-enhancing interdisciplinary skills and communication competency as part of the program experience.

The five colleges include: College of Liberal Arts ; College of Science ; Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences ; Kate Gleason College of Engineering ; and National Technical Institute for the Deaf .

Join us for Fall 2024

Many programs accept applications on a rolling, space-available basis.

Learn what you need to apply

Cognitive Science Research

Ph.D. in cognitive science faculty, all sharing a passion for understanding the biological and computational foundations of human cognition - including memory, perception, attention, language, learning, decision-making, creativity, and problem solving. While faculty research interests are broad, our program emphasizes:  

• Context, culture, and cognition: Whilst the existence of cognitive universals is likely given the high degree of genetic overlap across animal species, there are significant variations in environments that are likely to lead to individual differences in cognition. Understanding how context and culture drive this variability can both improve our understanding of human cognition and lead to a more inclusive cognitive science.  
• Biologically-inspired computational models: Computational models provide insights into the mechanisms of cognition and how information is represented and processed in cognitive systems. Biologically-inspired models not only help us constrain our cognitive theories, they also allow us to apply the insights of cognitive science to the development of innovative and powerful computational tools.  
• Cognition and human action: Cognition cannot be separated from action. The purpose of cognition is to allow us to navigate the world around us in both goal-driven and stimulus-responsive ways. Therefore it is important to explain how cognition is realized in human behavior, and the role of cognition in guiding human action.

Rain Bosworth

Elena Fedorovskaya

Allison Fitch

Irina Mikhalevich

Alexander Ororbia

Curriculum for 2023-2024 for Cognitive Science Ph.D.

Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements

Cognitive Science, Ph.D. degree, typical course sequence

Program electives, admissions and financial aid.

This program is available on-campus only.

Full-time study is 9+ semester credit hours. International students requiring a visa to study at the RIT Rochester campus must study full‑time.

Application Details

To be considered for admission to the Cognitive Science Ph.D. program, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete a  graduate application .
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. Since the program encompasses a wide variety of disciplines, students with diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• A recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a statement of purpose for research which will allow the Admissions Committee to learn the most about you as a prospective researcher.
• Submit two letters of recommendation .
• Entrance exam requirements: None
• Submit one writing sample .
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required. Details are below.

English Language Test Scores

International applicants whose native language is not English must submit one of the following official English language test scores. Some international applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver .

International students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Each program requires balanced sub-scores when determining an applicant’s need for additional English language courses.

How to Apply   Start or Manage Your Application

Cost and Financial Aid

An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Ph.D. students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Assistantship that will consist of a research assistantship (stipend) or a teaching assistantship (salary).

Cognitive Neuroscience

Information about the Cognitive Neuroscience Graduate Major

The Cognitive Neuroscience Ph.D. Program is intended for students who wish to study cognitive processes based on their underlying neural systems. It provides a strong background in both systems-level neuroscience and cognitive psychology and allows students to develop integrative research interests that cross domains. Students admitted in either the Behavioral Neuroscience or Cognitive Areas may complete this program. They will remain in their area of admission for administrative purposes. For a list of Required Courses please see the  Psychology Handbook .

Graduate Programs

Cognitive science.

Brown University's graduate program in Cognitive Science is designed to prepare students for careers as scientists and teachers who will make contributions to society in academic or applied settings.

Brown University's Department of Cognitive, Linguistic and Psychological Sciences (CLPS) is dedicated to the multidisciplinary study of mind, brain, behavior and language. It offers  two Ph.D. programs: in Cognitive Science  and Psychology. Ph.D. students are accepted by the department and formally choose one of the  two programs during the first year. The department does not accept students interested in obtaining terminal master's degrees.

The Cognitive Science Ph.D. program is designed to prepare students for careers as scientists and teachers who will make contributions to society in academic or applied settings. Students will gain broad competence in the scientific issues and experimental, theoretical, and/or computational methods relevant across fields of cognitive science and will develop expertise in one or more research specializations. Programs of study are highly individualized; decisions about research and coursework are made in close collaboration with a research advisor and graduate committee chosen by each student. Students may change areas, programs, and/or advisors as their interests develop. Students are also encouraged to collaborate with faculty members who are not their primary advisors.

Students accepted into the Cognitive Science Ph.D. program are guaranteed five years of financial support contingent on satisfactory progress toward the degree. In addition to the Graduate School's  doctoral support , the department also typically provides a summer stipend for a fourth summer if the student continues to work on research over that period. Support normally comes in the form of teaching or research assistantships, and students are encouraged to apply for their own fellowships (e.g., NSF) before or after being admitted to the program.

Application Information

Application requirements, gre subject:.

Not required

GRE General:

Writing sample:, personal statement:.

In their statement of purpose, applicants should describe their background and interests as they relate to the preferred Ph.D. program (e.g., Cognitive Science) and to the research conducted by specific faculty who might serve as research advisors. To this end, we strongly recommend that applicants read the departmental website before applying, giving particular attention to the faculty research descriptions.

Dates/Deadlines

Application deadline, completion requirements.

First–year research project; three core courses, two quantitative courses, methodological proficiency, and three specialization courses; four semesters of teaching assistantships; preliminary exam paper; dissertation proposal; dissertation and oral presentation.

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Contact and Location

Department of cognitive, linguistic, and psychological sciences, location address, mailing address.

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• University of California, Irvine

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Ph.D. in Cognitive Sciences

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about OUR PROGRAM

The UCI graduate program administered by the school's cognitive sciences department offers students five years of guaranteed funding .

Scholars in the department have a proven track record of earning competitive research funding from national agencies - including the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health - and from campus-level fellowships.

For 2021-22, the school brought in $5.95M in external grant funding. About 60% of those funds - approximately $3.55M - were awarded to cognitive sciences faculty. Faculty in the department publish regularly in the field's top academic journals, and graduate students have incredible opportunities to publish alongside them.

Learn more about cognitive sciences at UCI...

university doing the most for the American dream - The New York Times College Access Index

"coolest school" for sustainability efforts - Sierra Club Magazine

best college in the nation - Money Magazine

best public university in the U.S. - U.S. News & World Report

  A top-ranked program with research strengths in computational and mathematical cognitive modeling, cognitive neuroscience, visual and auditory perception, attention, development, memory, language, and judgment and decision making.  

LOCATION Campus is located less than 10 miles from Newport Beach.  

FUNDING Admitted students receive 5 years of guaranteed funding.  

CENTERS & LABS The department collaborates with 6 centers/institutes and has over 23 labs dedicated to research.

DEGREE Ph.D.; a master's degree may be earned while in pursuit of the Ph.D.      

ENROLLMENT Full-time, on-campus with housing.        

CONCENTRATION JOINT PROGRAM Concentration in cognitive neuroscience & joint M.S. in statistics and Ph.D. in cognitive sciences.

JOB PLACEMENTS

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CONCENTRATIONS

Cognitive development

Cognitive neuroscience (a concentration is offered in this topic)

Computational and mathematical cognitive modeling

Visual and auditory perception

Attention and representation

Judgment and decision making

Further information on the graduate program and life as a graduate student can be found here .

what makes us

T he cognitive sciences department at UCI uses a combination of innovative approaches with modern tools to study fundamental human abilities including attention, memory, language, decision making, and problem solving.

Students work together with faculty advisors who are highly experienced in the use of leading technologies such as EEG, fMRI, and robotics, and of modern research tools such as computational methods, big data, and Bayesian statistics.

And, students have an opportunity to earn a master's degree in cognitive sciences, cognitive neuroscience, or statistics (depending on approval) while in pursuit of their Ph.D.

Graduate students from UCI's cognitive sciences program have gone on to work in high-tech and research consultancy companies; government, science, and technology labs; and in professorial posts around the world.

The UCI campus is located less than 10 miles from Newport Beach, is the #1 university doing the most for the American dream ( New York Times College Access Index ), the #1 university for beach lovers ( Money Magazine ), the #6 best college in the nation ( Money Magazine ) and the #9 ranked public university in the U.S. ( U.S. News & World Report ).

  There's really something here for everyone!  

- Tiffany Hwu, '19  

So what are you waiting for?

APPLY TODAY

If full funding, opportunities to publish, and a proven track record of excellence in the field are what you’re looking for, contact us today to learn more about UCI’s graduate program in cognitive sciences.  

UCI Department of Cognitive Sciences

Online Application

FALL 2023 ADMISSIONS

Department Chair

Viginia Richards   [email protected]  949.824.2051

Graduate Director

Mimi Liljeholm   [email protected]  949.824.8444

Graduate Advisor

Jennifer Gerson   [email protected]  949.824.4074

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Doctor of Cognitive Science Programs in America

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MIT School of Science

Cambridge, MA •

Massachusetts Institute of Technology •

Graduate School

Massachusetts Institute of Technology ,

Graduate School ,

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

Brown University Graduate School

Providence, RI •

Brown University •

Brown University ,

PROVIDENCE, RI ,

Tufts University School of Engineering

Medford, MA •

Tufts University •

• • Rating 4.33 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: The application process was smooth and post-acceptance I was welcomed into the Tufts community. So far, Tufts has been very communicative, especially about the return to school during the Covid-19 pandemic. ... Read 3 reviews

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Tufts University ,

MEDFORD, MA ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The application process was smooth and post-acceptance I was welcomed into the Tufts community. So far, Tufts has been very communicative, especially about the return to school during the Covid-19... .

Read 3 reviews.

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Krieger School of Arts & Sciences

Baltimore, MD •

Johns Hopkins University •

• • Rating 4.53 out of 5   19 reviews

Master's Student: I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student Advisor, Alexis has been extremely helpful in initiating my enrollment process and answering all of my questions in a timely matter. My intended Advanced Academic Program is the accelerated (2 semester), dual-modality, 40-credit M.S. in Biotechnology, Biodefense concentration. All of the anticipated course subjects are diverse and there's even a customizable core lab course on campus (at least until Summer 2024). I can't wait and I wish you all the best in your search for academic programs or professional certifications. ... Read 19 reviews

Johns Hopkins University ,

BALTIMORE, MD ,

19 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I have yet to enroll for Fall 2023 after receiving my acceptance letter due to a delay in my need-based financial aid from JHU. However the Homewood Campus in Baltimore is beautiful and my Student... .

Read 19 reviews.

School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute •

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ,

College of Liberal Arts - University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN •

University of Minnesota Twin Cities •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: The School has some management problems. However, the faculty are well trained and knowledgeable. The performance faculty are very well suited to serve the twin cities area and Minnesota as a whole. ... Read 2 reviews

University of Minnesota Twin Cities ,

MINNEAPOLIS, MN ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The School has some management problems. However, the faculty are well trained and knowledgeable. The performance faculty are very well suited to serve the twin cities area and Minnesota as a whole. .

Read 2 reviews.

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UC San Diego Division of Social Sciences

La Jolla, CA •

University of California - San Diego •

University of California - San Diego ,

LA JOLLA, CA ,

College of Arts & Sciences - Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, IN •

Indiana University - Bloomington •

Indiana University - Bloomington ,

BLOOMINGTON, IN ,

University of Colorado - Boulder School of Arts and Sciences

Boulder, CO •

University of Colorado Boulder •

• • Rating 3.78 out of 5   9 reviews

Alum: I’ll start with the worst, being away from my family. The weather was a change from the sunny California to the cold winters in Colorado. The best thing was being the first generation of my family to graduate not only in one but to majors psychology and sociology. My family coming from a low income based and struggling with four other siblings was hard but pushed me harder for an education to pursue my dreams. My mother struggled with mental illness and addiction that almost cost me my dreams. Seeing her struggle with addiction and coming out of the darkness to become a strong sober influencer in my life help shape me in the my education goals. ... Read 9 reviews

University of Colorado Boulder ,

BOULDER, CO ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 3.8 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says I’ll start with the worst, being away from my family. The weather was a change from the sunny California to the cold winters in Colorado. The best thing was being the first generation of my family to... .

Read 9 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - Stony Brook University, SUNY

Stony Brook, NY •

Stony Brook University, SUNY •

• • Rating 3 out of 5   3 reviews

Doctoral Student: In the Physics Department, the classes are wide-ranging and generally well taught. They are challenging and require the amount of effort expected of a very good graduate education. However, the department is also somewhat behind the times in the assessment that is required for a PhD. You will spend two years jumping through hoops before beginning any real work for very little money. Many students wish to do research in String Theory, but there is little funding available and many students are admitted. Funding in most other areas of the department are adequate enough that most students are in the research area they wish to pursue. ... Read 3 reviews

Stony Brook University, SUNY ,

STONY BROOK, NY ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says In the Physics Department, the classes are wide-ranging and generally well taught. They are challenging and require the amount of effort expected of a very good graduate education. However, the... Many students wish to do research in String Theory, but there is little funding available and many students are admitted. Funding in most other areas of the department are adequate enough that most... .

Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus College of Integrative Sciences and Arts

Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

Master's Student: Very organized and well structured with lots of faculty support and availability - a rock solid graduate department ... Read 1 review

Arizona State University - Polytechnic Campus ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Very organized and well structured with lots of faculty support and availability - a rock solid graduate department .

Read 1 reviews.

School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts

Merced, CA •

University of California - Merced •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Current Master's student: The online experience at Merced college has been outstanding. Their Social Sciences programs have a wide range of classes available. The Psychology professors and sociology professors are amongst the best. I am truly content with my experiences. ... Read 2 reviews

University of California - Merced ,

MERCED, CA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says The online experience at Merced college has been outstanding. Their Social Sciences programs have a wide range of classes available. The Psychology professors and sociology professors are amongst the... .

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Georgetown University

Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Concentration in Cognitive Science

Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of the mind and deals with the nature of perception, motor organization, memory, language, thinking, consciousness, and learning and development.  It investigates these topics from a number of methodological perspectives, including behavioral evidence for how these systems operate and formal, symbolic, and biological evidence on the computational and neural machinery that underlies them. Research on these topics comes centrally from several traditionally distinct fields:  experimental psychology, computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and neuroscience. Other relevant disciplines – biology, anthropology, economics, decision sciences, and education – are also part of this burgeoning field.

The interdisciplinary concentration program at Georgetown aims to enable graduate students to pursue research in cognitive science by building an advisory committee of faculty members from multiple departments at the University, in order to pursue truly interdisciplinary work in this ground breaking field.  Professors and researchers from the departments of linguistics, philosophy, neurology, psychology, computer science, Spanish and Portuguese, biology, and others, have agreed to work with students to develop individual programs of study that fit the interests of the student.  Students will graduate with a Ph.D. from a home department with a Concentration in Cognitive Science.

The Concentration in Cognitive Science is supported by the Feldstein Veron Cognitive Science Fund and by the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

About Cognitive Science

For centuries philosophers and scientists of many stripes have sought to understand the relationship between the brain and mind, sometimes described as the hardest problem in science.  How is it that the human brain, three pounds of matter, supports so many faculties that distinguish our species from all other life forms:  consciousness, language, science, mathematics, morality, music, art, and more?  We need good theories of the brain, the mind, and of the linking between them, the mind/brain.

On the brain side, one of the most striking developments of the last few decades has been the growth of neuroscience. The Society for Neuroscience was formed forty years ago and now has 43,000 members; its annual meetings attract 35,000 participants every November.  Georgetown has participated in this development, with one of the earliest and strongest Ph.D. programs in the field.  Indeed, the National Research Council in its latest survey of Ph.D. programs ranked our Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience (IPN) as the highest of Georgetown’s Ph.D. programs.

On the mind side, cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of the mind and deals with the nature of perception, motor organization, memory, language, thinking, consciousness, and learning and development. It investigates these topics from a number of methodological perspectives, including behavioral evidence for how these systems operate and formal, symbolic, and biological evidence on the computational and neural machinery that underlies them. Research on these topics comes centrally from several traditionally distinct fields:  experimental psychology, computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and neuroscience. Other relevant disciplines – biology, anthropology, economics, decision sciences, and education – are also part of this burgeoning field.

The Cognitive Science Society was formed in 1979, just after the Society for Neuroscience.  In recent years the interdisciplinary cognitive sciences have grown in stature and prominence, both in the US and around the world.  There is a renamed section of the National Academy of Sciences and a new National Research Council Board that cover these areas; virtually all major research universities offer graduate and postdoctoral programs in cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience, with variation in the character of the programs depending on the interdisciplinary strengths of each university.

Best Cognitive Science colleges in the U.S. 2024

Best cognitive science colleges in the u.s. for 2024.

Vanderbilt University offers 3 Cognitive Science degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 46 Cognitive Science students graduated with students earning 45 Bachelor's degrees, and 1 Doctoral degree.

University of California-Berkeley offers 1 Cognitive Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 230 Cognitive Science students graduated with students earning 230 Bachelor's degrees.

Tufts University offers 2 Cognitive Science degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 40 Cognitive Science students graduated with students earning 39 Bachelor's degrees, and 1 Doctoral degree.

Carnegie Mellon University offers 1 Cognitive Science degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 17 Cognitive Science students graduated with students earning 17 Bachelor's degrees.

University of California-San Diego offers 3 Cognitive Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 768 Cognitive Science students graduated with students earning 759 Bachelor's degrees, 6 Doctoral degrees, and 3 Master's degrees.

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign offers 1 Cognitive Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2022, 8 Cognitive Science students graduated with students earning 8 Bachelor's degrees.

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor offers 2 Cognitive Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 120 Cognitive Science students graduated with students earning 114 Bachelor's degrees, and 6 Certificates.

Stanford University offers 2 Cognitive Science degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 72 Cognitive Science students graduated with students earning 64 Bachelor's degrees, and 8 Master's degrees.

Stony Brook University offers 2 Cognitive Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 3 Cognitive Science students graduated with students earning 3 Doctoral degrees.

University of California-Irvine offers 3 Cognitive Science degree programs. It's a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2022, 20 Cognitive Science students graduated with students earning 15 Bachelor's degrees, 3 Doctoral degrees, and 2 Master's degrees.

Find local colleges with Cognitive Science majors in the U.S.

List of all cognitive science colleges in the u.s..

Colleges Offering a Cognitive Science Major

Looking for colleges with a Cognitive Science Major? See a list of colleges with Cognitive Science here to evaluate admissions data, tuition, rankings and more.

To unlock full rankings, SAT/ACT scores and more, sign up for the U.S. News College Compass !

Here are the best colleges with a Cognitive Science Major

• Princeton University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

• Harvard University

Stanford University

Yale university, university of pennsylvania.

• California Institute of Technology

Duke University

Brown university.

Cambridge, MA

• #2 in National Universities

Though the Massachusetts Institute of Technology may be best known for its math, science and engineering education, this private research university also offers architecture, humanities, management and social science programs. The school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, just across the Charles River from downtown Boston.

(fall 2022)

SAT, GPA and More

Stanford, CA

• #3 in National Universities  (tie)

The sunny campus of Stanford University is located in California’s Bay Area, about 30 miles from San Francisco. The private institution stresses a multidisciplinary combination of teaching, learning, and research, and students have many opportunities to get involved in research projects.

New Haven, CT

• #5 in National Universities

Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, offers a small college life with the resources of a major research institution. Yale students are divided into 14 residential colleges that foster a supportive environment for living, learning and socializing.

Philadelphia, PA

• #6 in National Universities

Founded by Benjamin Franklin, the University of Pennsylvania is a private institution in the University City neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Students can study in one of four schools that grant undergraduate degrees: Arts and Sciences, Nursing, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Wharton.

• #7 in National Universities  (tie)

Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private institution that has liberal arts and engineering programs for undergraduates. The Duke Blue Devils sports teams have a fierce rivalry with the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill Tar Heels and are best known for their outstanding men's basketball program.

Providence, RI

• #9 in National Universities  (tie)

At Brown University, undergraduate students are responsible for designing their own academic study with more than 80 concentration programs to choose from. Another unique offering at this private, Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, is the Program in Liberal Medical Education, which grants both a bachelor’s degree and medical degree in eight years.

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University is a private institution in Baltimore that offers a wide array of academic programs in the arts, humanities, social and natural sciences, and engineering disciplines. The Hopkins Blue Jays men’s lacrosse team is consistently dominant in the NCAA Division I; other sports teams at Hopkins compete at the Division III level.

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, CA

• #15 in National Universities  (tie)

The University of California, Berkeley overlooks the San Francisco Bay in Berkeley, Calif. Students at this public school have more than 1,000 groups to get involved in, including more than 60 fraternity and sorority chapters.

(out-of-state)

University of California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA

The University of California, Los Angeles is just five miles away from the Pacific Ocean. The public institution offers 5,000 courses, 140 bachelor's degree programs and 97 minors.

Rice University

Houston, TX

• #17 in National Universities

Rice University is located in the heart of the Museum District in Houston, TX. The private institution has a need-blind admissions policy and meets the full demonstrated need of any accepted student who requires help paying tuition.

• Department of Psychology >
• Graduate >
• Graduate Admissions >

Cognitive PhD Program

For information regarding the online application and admissions process, please visit the UB Graduate School. 

• UB's General Admission Requirements
• Admissions FAQs
• Check Your Admissions Status

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Admission Requirements and Process

The Department of Psychology at the University at Buffalo uses a holistic admissions process in our consideration of applications.  This means that we evaluate the entire application, rather than any single indicator or a few indicators. Thus, applicants are viewed as a whole person, the sum of their experiences, accomplishments, and aspirations. Consistent with this, we do not rely on or use “cut offs” for numerical indices of an academic record such as grade point average. A holistic approach also means that a candidate who may be less strong in some areas, can still have a highly competitive application by having greater strength in other areas. All elements of an application are taken into consideration, to maximize a good fit of the applicant with our training program and potential mentors, to reduce bias that can result from reliance on a limited number of components, and to reduce inequities in access to opportunities for graduate training. 

Over the years, we have learned that a holistic admissions process helps us identify applicants who are likely to succeed in our graduate programs, brings a diversity of experience and ideas into our academic community, and supports a fair review of all applicants. Our goal is to recruit the next generation of academic psychologists who are passionate about making new discoveries and generating new knowledge in their chosen discipline.  We expect students to bring hard work, professional ambition, resilience, grit, intellectual acumen, and enthusiasm to our graduate programs.

Although we value quantitative criteria like GPA, we take a broad view of academic excellence and recognize that indices of success in our graduate programs and professional achievement cannot be reduced to numbers alone. In short, we endeavor to balance quantitative and qualitative indices of success. Because we want to give students the greatest opportunity to thrive in our program, we place a strong emphasis on fit with our programs and potential faculty mentors. A highly qualified applicant may not be strongly considered if their interests and goals do not provide a good fit with the orientation of our training program or with faculty research interests. Accordingly, we consider the following components in our admissions decisions: personal statement, undergraduate transcript and GPA (and prior graduate record if applicable), letters of recommendation, and resume/research experience. Interviews are required for applicants to the Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, and Social-Personality doctoral programs, and our MA programs in General Psychology; interviews are not required for applicants to the Cognitive Psychology doctoral program. After initial review of applications, the selected applicants to program requiring an interview will be contacted by prospective advisors to set up an interview time.

Schomburg statements are optional for applicants to our doctoral programs interested in being considered for a Schomburg Fellowship. These statements are not used for admissions decisions.

Cognitive PhD Program:

Components of the application and how they are used, personal statement (required).

Helps contextualize the more quantitative and objective credentials of an applicant.  The statement is used to evaluate the applicant’s goals and fit with the program and research interests of the faculty as well as how they would contribute to the diversity of thought and perspectives.

Prompt for Personal (1000 words or less):

Describe the area of research you are interested in pursuing during your graduate studies and explain how our program would help you achieve your intellectual goals. The statement should include your academic background, intellectual interests and training or research experience that has prepared you for our program. The statement should also identify specific faculty members whose research interests align with your own interests.

Submitting Personal Statement:

Uploaded as part of the online application.

Transcript and GPA (required)

Provides evidence that the applicant is seeking challenging coursework, while excelling and showing academic growth. The University at Buffalo requires an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.  However, applications with an undergraduate GPA below 3.0 can still be considered, particularly when other components of the application are strong (e.g., a high graduate GPA, high GRE scores, etc.). 

Submitting transcripts:

Upload scanned copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts as part of your online application.  Include the English translation, if applicable. 

Letters of recommendation (3 required):

Provides a third-party endorsement of the applicant’s attributes, ability to succeed in the graduate program, and potential to contribute to the field.  The letter offers a perspective on the applicant’s prior achievements and potential to succeed, along with concrete examples of the subjective traits described in other elements of the application.

Submitting Letters:

Letters must be submitted electronically. Further instructions are included in the online application.

Resume and research experience (required):

Provides information on how the applicant has practically applied ideas and concepts learned in the classroom. It helps show that applicants possess the skills and dispositions needed to conduct extensive research and make substantive contributions to their chosen field.

Submitting resume

Schomburg statement (optional applications to our doctoral program):, what is a schomburg fellowship.

A Schomburg Fellowship offers support for students in doctoral programs who can demonstrate that they would contribute to the diversity of the student body, especially those who can demonstrate that they have overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education. In order to be eligible for the Schomburg Fellowship, you need to be either a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident and have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above. 

Here is a link to more information about Schomburg Fellowships.

https://arts-sciences.buffalo.edu/current-students/funding-your-degree/graduate-awards-fellowships/schomburg-fellowship.html

The Schomburg statement provides useful information in helping the faculty decide whether to nominate an applicant for the Schomburg Fellowship.

Schomburg Statement:

If you would like to be considered for a Schomburg Fellowship, please  upload a written statement with your online application  (maximum of 500 words) describing how you will contribute to the diversity of the student body in your graduate program, including by having overcome a disadvantage or other impediment to success in higher education.  Please note that such categorical circumstances may include academic, vocational, social, physical or economic impediments or disadvantaged status you have been able to overcome, as evidenced by your performance as an undergraduate, or other characteristics that constitute categorical underrepresentation in your particular graduate program such as gender or racial/ethnic status.

Submitting a Schomburg statement:

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2024 Best Cognitive Science Master's Degree Schools

For its 2024 ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for cognitive science students pursuing a master's degree. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 59 master's degrees in cognitive science during the 2020-2021 academic year.

What's on this page: * Our Methodology

• Best Master’s Degree Schools List

Choosing a Great Cognitive Science School for Your Master's Degree

Quality Overall Is Important

The overall quality of a master's degree school is important to ensure a quality education, not just how well they do in a particular major. To take this into account we consider a college's overall Best Colleges for a Master's Degree ranking which itself looks at a collection of different factors like degree completion, educational resources, student body caliber and post-graduation earnings for the school as a whole.

Average Earnings

To determine the overall quality of a graduate school, one factor we look at is the average early-career salary of those receiving their master's degree from the school. This is because one of the main reasons people pursue their master's degree is to enable themselves to find better-paying positions.

Other Factors We Consider

The metrics below are just some of the other metrics that we use to determine our rankings.

• Major Focus - How many resources a school devotes to cognitive science students as compared to other majors.
• Major Demand - The number of cognitive science students who choose to seek a master's degree at the school.
• Educational Resources - How many resources are allocated to students. These resources may include educational expenditures per student, number of students per instructor, and graduation rate among other things.
• Student Debt - How much debt cognitive science students go into to obtain their master's degree and how well they are able to pay back that debt.
• Accreditation - Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or accredited by a recognized cognitive science related body.

Our full ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for cognitive science students working on their master's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings , including this Best Cognitive Science Master's Degree Schools list to help you make the college decision.

Best Schools for Master’s Students to Study Cognitive Science in the United States

Explore the top ranked colleges and universities for cognitive science students seeking a a master's degree.

Top Schools for a Master's in Cognitive Science

It's difficult to beat Stanford University if you wish to pursue a master's degree in cognitive science. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. More information about a master’s in cognitive science from Stanford University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a wonderful decision for individuals interested in a master's degree in cognitive science. MIT is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the midsize city of Cambridge. More information about a master’s in cognitive science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a master's degree in cognitive science. Located in the large city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. More information about a master’s in cognitive science from Johns Hopkins University

Every student who is interested in a master's degree in cognitive science has to look into Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Located in the small city of Troy, RPI is a private not-for-profit school with a moderately-sized student population. More information about a master’s in cognitive science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Located in the large city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a fairly large student population. More information about a master’s in cognitive science from University of California - San Diego

UT Dallas is a fairly large public university located in the city of Richardson.

Students who graduate with their master's from the cognitive science program state that they receive average early career earnings of $42,664.

Located in the city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a very large student population. More information about a master’s in cognitive science from University of California - Irvine

UMN Twin Cities is a very large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis. More information about a master’s in cognitive science from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

UC Merced is a moderately-sized public university located in the rural area of Merced. More information about a master’s in cognitive science from University of California - Merced

Cognitive Science by Region

View the Best Cognitive Science Master's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Other Rankings

Best bachelor's degrees in cognitive science, best overall in cognitive science, highest paid grads in cognitive science, best for veterans in cognitive science, most popular in cognitive science, most focused in cognitive science, best doctorate degrees in cognitive science, best value in cognitive science, best for non-traditional students in cognitive science, best online in cognitive science, most popular online in cognitive science.

View All Rankings >

Cognitive Science Related Rankings by Major

One of 51 majors within the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies area of study, Cognitive Science has other similar majors worth exploring.

Cognitive Science Focus Areas

Majors similar to cognitive science, notes and references.

• The bars on the spread charts above show the distribution of the schools on this list +/- one standard deviation from the mean.
• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ( IPEDS ) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of the rest of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s ( College Scorecard ).
• Credit for the banner image above goes to Allan Ajifo . More about our data sources and methodologies .

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