Cognitive Science at University of California-Merced

UC Merced's cognitive science graduates start at just $32,419—about $9,000 below California's median for this major and $22,000 behind UC Davis, the closest UC campus in earnings. While this ranks in the 25th percentile among California programs, the good news is that earnings jump 45% by year four, reaching $47,142. The manageable $21,000 debt load means graduates enter repayment with a debt-to-earnings ratio under 1.0, which is workable even during that tough first year.

The challenge here is that UC Merced, despite being part of the prestigious UC system, produces notably different outcomes than its sister campuses. Even UC San Diego, which isn't among the highest earners, starts graduates at $39,839—$7,400 more in year one. For families paying similar UC tuition across campuses, that gap matters. The institution serves a predominantly low-income student body (59% receive Pell grants), which may explain some of the earnings difference through regional job market factors rather than program quality alone.

If your child is comparing UC Merced to other UCs, understand that this investment will require patience. The debt is reasonable, but the early earnings lag means your graduate may struggle more with living expenses in California during those first years. If they're comparing Merced to CSU programs or out-of-state options, the calculation changes—but within the UC system, this represents the lower end of outcomes for cognitive science majors.