Cognitive Science at University of California-Los Angeles

UCLA's Cognitive Science program punches well above its weight in a crowded California market. With first-year earnings of $53,962, graduates earn nearly $13,000 more than the typical California cognitive science graduate and outperform 80% of similar programs statewide. Only Berkeley and Stanford produce better outcomes among UC schools, and the $13,000 in median debt is remarkably manageable—graduates owe just one-quarter of their first year's salary.

The trajectory looks solid too, with earnings climbing 15% to $62,158 by year four. While that's a more modest growth curve than some technical fields, it's steady progress that puts graduates in a comfortable position early in their careers. The combination of UCLA's elite reputation, reasonable debt load, and strong starting salaries creates breathing room for graduates exploring diverse career paths in tech, research, UX design, or graduate school.

For an anxious parent, this program delivers meaningful value without the financial strain: your child graduates with earnings that comfortably exceed California's cost of living and debt that won't dictate their career choices. The 9% admission rate means getting in is the hard part—but those who do find themselves well-positioned in a field that bridges psychology, neuroscience, and computer science.