Cognitive Science at University of California-Davis

UC Davis's cognitive science program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—and that's actually the story here. At $42,342 first-year out, graduates earn modestly above both national and California medians, though they trail significantly behind Berkeley ($64,559) and UCLA ($53,962). Within California's competitive cognitive science landscape, Davis ranks 60th percentile, which means it outperforms several UC campuses including Santa Cruz but hasn't cracked into the top tier of earning potential.

The debt picture offers some relief: $15,000 is manageable, particularly given California's high cost of living, and translates to a reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.35. This puts monthly loan payments around $165—doable even on entry-level cognitive science salaries that often start in research coordination, UX roles, or tech support positions. The program draws a meaningful portion of Pell grant recipients (31%), suggesting it successfully serves middle-class California families.

For families weighing UC options, Davis represents the solid middle ground. You're not getting Berkeley's placement power or the salary premium that follows, but you're also avoiding excessive debt and still earning a UC degree that carries weight. If your student is considering graduate school—common in this field—keeping undergraduate debt low matters more than maximizing year-one earnings. For students landing at cognitive science directly from high school, this program delivers predictable, if unspectacular, returns.