Cognitive Science at University of California-Irvine

UC Irvine's cognitive science program sits squarely in the middle of California's offerings, with comparable programs across the state suggesting first-year earnings around $41,000—essentially matching both state and national medians for this degree. What's striking is the $64,000 gap between this and what Berkeley cognitive science graduates report, or the staggering $105,000 that Stanford grads command. While cognitive science is an interdisciplinary field that can lead to various tech-adjacent careers, these figures suggest Irvine graduates may be landing different types of positions than their counterparts at peer UCs just up the coast.

The estimated $16,241 in debt translates to a manageable 0.40 ratio against first-year earnings—meaning graduates from similar programs typically owe less than half their starting salary. This is solid financial positioning, especially given that 37% of Irvine students receive Pell grants. The selective 26% admission rate confirms this is a competitive program at a respected institution.

For parents evaluating this investment: cognitive science at Irvine appears to deliver reliable but not exceptional financial returns based on peer program outcomes. If your child has Berkeley or UCLA acceptances in hand, those programs show meaningfully higher earnings potential. But among mid-tier UC options, the debt load looks reasonable for what similar programs produce. The real question is whether $41,000 starting salaries align with your family's expectations for a competitive UC education in an interdisciplinary field with tech applications.