Cognitive Scienceat University of California-Merced
Graduates earn $32,419/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national Cognitive Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $580K; scenarios range from $545K to $584K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Merced
Studying Cognitive Science at UC-Merced positions you in a unique regional labor market. Unlike programs in major tech hubs, the Central Valley's economy offers fewer direct pipelines into high-paying roles like UX research, AI ethics, or specialized data science within large tech companies. Your outcomes likely reflect a broader application of your skills in areas like community services or education, where a deep understanding of human cognition is valuable but salaries are typically lower. Many graduates might also pursue advanced degrees to unlock roles like natural sciences managers or postsecondary teachers listed, as these often require significant further education and experience. To enhance your career prospects, proactively seek internships outside the immediate region or consider a dual major or minor in a more directly vocational field like computer science or statistics.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Merced's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Cognitive Science
How UC Merced stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Merced
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Merced, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Cognitive Science at UC Merced
What does a 39/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Cognitive Science at University of California-Merced?
At 39/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Cognitive Science programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Is University of California-Merced a good choice for Cognitive Science despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-Merced's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.