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Cognitive Science at University of California-Berkeley

Berkeley, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
70 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
70
Optimistic
70
Base Case
70
Pessimistic
Earnings $64,559/yr (35% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (22% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (111,400 openings/yr)
ROI 13.5x earnings multiple (4.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #1 of 19 Cognitive Science programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Cognitive Science graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $816K $804K $742K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.7x 13.5x 12.5x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.5x 4.4x 4.1x
Probability of Field Employment 52% 50% 44%
DegreeOutlook Score 70 70 70

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,400
Out-of-state: $182,508 (4.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$59,916
-1% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,589
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$100,651
56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $64,559 per year, Cognitive Science graduates from University of California-Berkeley significantly outpace the $47,910 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 13.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Cognitive Science programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Cognitive Science's typical career paths, with 22% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 9% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $14,589 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #1 of 19 nationally, this is a top-5% Cognitive Science program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $100,651 show a 56% jump from the $64,559 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of California-Berkeley

With just 12% of applicants admitted, University of California-Berkeley ranks among the nation's most selective schools, one of the larger campuses at 33,073 students in Berkeley, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at University of California-Berkeley →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490/yr
Community and social service specialists, all other $54,940/yr
View all 6 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 19 schools offering Cognitive Science →

Cognitive Science at Other Schools

Stanford University ($105,695) University of Pennsylvania ($84,314) Tufts University ($75,672) University of California-Los Angeles ($53,962) Rice University ($47,459) University of Michigan-Ann Arbor ($44,698) Johns Hopkins University ($42,602) University of California-Davis ($42,342)

Other Majors at University of California-Berkeley

Computer Science ($149,866) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($137,295) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($90,008) Operations Research ($88,685) Mechanical Engineering ($88,497) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($88,030) Statistics ($83,227) Chemical Engineering ($81,553)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Cognitive Science at University of California-Berkeley?
This program scores 70/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Cognitive Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
What makes University of California-Berkeley's Cognitive Science program stand out?
Ranked #1 of 19 programs nationally, University of California-Berkeley lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →