Cognitive Science
Interdisciplinary Studies
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | $76,118 | $66,814 to $97,753 | 23 | 96% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +3% (2024 to 2034), about 111,400 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-Enrichment Teachers | $45,590 | +3.7% | 51,400 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $54,840 | +2.1% | 13,800 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $78,490 | +1.8% | 13,500 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $54,940 | +4.6% | 13,100 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $45,120 | +0.6% | 11,100 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $161,180 | +3.7% | 8,500 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.