Cognitive Science bachelor's degree programs in California

Compare 9 reporting programs using the same federal field and bachelor's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

9Programs reporting earnings

$81,160Median year-4 earnings

$15,000Median federal debt

8Programs reporting debt

OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in California

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

1Stanford UniversityStanford · $8,055 federal debt$131,650 2University of California, BerkeleyBerkeley · $13,950 federal debt$120,193 3University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles · $13,000 federal debt$102,066 4University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles · $19,669 federal debt$93,440 5University of California, San DiegoLa Jolla · $17,481 federal debt$81,160 6Occidental CollegeLos Angeles · Debt not reported$78,782 7University of California, Santa CruzSanta Cruz · $19,500 federal debt$72,125 8University of California, DavisDavis · $15,000 federal debt$68,463 9University of California, MercedMerced · $21,000 federal debt$51,147

CAREER CONTEXT IN CA

What related occupations pay in California

These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.

25-1199Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

State median wage: $100,690
Middle 50% wage range: $71,310–$141,520
State employment: 37,770
Projected growth: +2.0%
Annual openings: 12,500

10th–90th percentile: $53,830–$175,950

11-9121Natural Sciences Managers

State median wage: $210,230
Middle 50% wage range: $167,630–$304,380
State employment: 14,950
Projected growth: +8.2%
Annual openings: 9,200

10th–90th percentile: $130,730–$330,050

21-2021Directors, Religious Activities and Education

State median wage: $61,570
Middle 50% wage range: $45,800–$76,840
State employment: 3,200
Projected growth: +3.3%
Annual openings: 13,000

10th–90th percentile: $41,600–$118,710

21-1099Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other

State median wage: $58,770
Middle 50% wage range: $47,550–$74,590
State employment: 16,250
Projected growth: +5.5%
Annual openings: 11,600

10th–90th percentile: $38,840–$96,030

25-3021Self-Enrichment Teachers

State median wage: $49,570
Middle 50% wage range: $40,480–$74,640
State employment: 60,260
Projected growth: +3.5%
Annual openings: 50,000

10th–90th percentile: $36,850–$102,720

21-2099Religious Workers, All Other

State median wage: $45,440
Middle 50% wage range: $36,870–$66,940
State employment: 1,390
Projected growth: +1.5%
Annual openings: 12,100

10th–90th percentile: $35,880–$97,430

Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in California; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.

ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS

Compare every available outcome

Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.

#	College	City	Median year-4 earnings	Median federal debt
1	Stanford University	Stanford	$131,650	$8,055
2	University of California, Berkeley	Berkeley	$120,193	$13,950
3	University of California, Los Angeles	Los Angeles	$102,066	$13,000
4	University of Southern California	Los Angeles	$93,440	$19,669
5	University of California, San Diego	La Jolla	$81,160	$17,481
6	Occidental College	Los Angeles	$78,782	Not available
7	University of California, Santa Cruz	Santa Cruz	$72,125	$19,500
8	University of California, Davis	Davis	$68,463	$15,000
9	University of California, Merced	Merced	$51,147	$21,000

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Cognitive Science in California

What do Cognitive Science bachelor's degree graduates earn in California?

Across 9 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $81,160 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The median is $15,000 among the 8 programs reporting federal debt.

Which California colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Stanford University has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.