Home Schools University of Virginia Cognitive Science
Multi / Interdisciplinary · Cognitive Science Rank #15 of 19

Cognitive Scienceat University of Virginia-Main Campus

Graduates earn $27,628/yr in their first year — about 42.0% below the national Cognitive Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $717K; scenarios range from $665K to $725K depending on AI disruption.

Charlottesville, VA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
36 AT RISK
37
Optimistic
43
Pessimistic
Earnings
$27,628
1-year post-graduation
ROI
7.2x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$717K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
33% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Virginia

Your Cognitive Science degree from UVA offers a robust interdisciplinary foundation, often blending psychology, linguistics, computer science, and philosophy. This comprehensive approach means graduates aren't pigeonholed, but it can also lead to a diverse array of initial career paths, some of which may not immediately reflect the earning potential seen in more specialized technical fields. Many students leverage this background for graduate studies in fields like AI ethics, human-computer interaction, or neuroscience, which naturally delays higher earnings. Others pursue roles in UX research, data analysis, or policy, where the strong analytical and problem-solving skills are highly valued. The moderate AI risk suggests the unique human-centric aspects of this education remain critical. To maximize your early career trajectory, actively seek internships that align with specific industry applications, like tech or product development.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$665K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple7.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$717K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple8.5x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$725K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score37/100
Earnings Multiple8.6x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Virginia's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Cognitive Science graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
3
Community and social service specialists, all other
+4.6% 10-yr growth · 13,100 openings/yr
$54,940/yr
Low
4
Directors, religious activities and education
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 13,800 openings/yr
$54,840/yr
Moderate
5
Self-enrichment teachers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 51,400 openings/yr
$45,590/yr
Moderate
6
Religious workers, all other
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 11,100 openings/yr
$45,120/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Cognitive Science

How University of Virginia stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Stanford University
CA · Private nonprofit
54
DW Score
$106K
1-yr earn
3.2x
ROI
University of Pennsylvania
PA · Private nonprofit
62
DW Score
$84K
1-yr earn
3.1x
ROI
Tufts University
MA · Private nonprofit
48
DW Score
$76K
1-yr earn
1.8x
ROI
Top score
University of California-Berkeley
CA · Public
70
DW Score
$65K
1-yr earn
15.9x
ROI
University of California-Los Angeles
CA · Public
64
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
13.2x
ROI
Also at University of Virginia

Other top programs at University of Virginia

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Virginia, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Cognitive Science at University of Virginia

How does University of Virginia-Main Campus's Cognitive Science program score?

This program scores 36/100 — on the lower end for Cognitive Science. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

Why are Cognitive Science earnings lower at University of Virginia-Main Campus?

Lower starting pay at University of Virginia-Main Campus may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.