Cognitive Science at Rice University

Rice's cognitive science program shows dramatic earnings growth—from $47,459 to $86,577 over four years—but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could swing considerably year to year. That said, the trajectory is striking: graduates more than double their earnings in just four years, and the modest $13,000 debt burden creates minimal financial pressure during that early career period when salaries are still ramping up.

The program performs solidly against national benchmarks, landing in the 66th percentile for earnings while keeping debt well below typical levels. With only three Texas schools offering cognitive science, direct state comparisons are limited, but Rice matches the Texas median in both earnings and debt. What matters more here is the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.27—low enough that graduates can manage payments comfortably even during their first year out, when salaries are at their lowest.

The real question is sample size reliability. At an 8% admission rate school with such small program enrollment, these numbers might represent an unusually strong cohort rather than a consistent pattern. If your child is genuinely passionate about cognitive science and confident they'll complete the degree at Rice, the financial picture looks manageable. But understand you're making a bet on limited data—that four-year earnings jump is impressive, but it might not hold for every graduating class.