Cognitive Science at Franklin and Marshall College

Franklin & Marshall's cognitive science program sits at an awkward intersection: peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $41,000, but Pennsylvania's median—driven primarily by Penn's outcomes—is more than double that at $84,000. This wide gap raises real questions about whether F&M's selectivity (32% admission rate, 1394 SAT) translates into outcomes competitive with the state's standout program, or whether graduates here track closer to the national baseline.

The estimated $18,000 debt load is manageable in absolute terms, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44 that would be reasonable if those earnings materialize. Cognitive science is interdisciplinary by design, which can be a strength or weakness depending on how students position themselves—some leverage it into tech, research, or data roles with strong pay; others face the challenge of explaining their degree to employers unfamiliar with the field. At a selective liberal arts college like F&M, much depends on internships, connections, and how well students translate the degree into marketable skills.

The core issue here is uncertainty. With no reported data from this specific program and only Penn representing Pennsylvania's upper bound, you're making a decision with limited visibility into where F&M graduates actually land. If your child is drawn to cognitive science's blend of psychology, neuroscience, and computation, push for concrete placement data from the school itself before committing.