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Swarthmore College delivers the state's most affordable Cognitive Science education at just $18,686 net cost despite its 6.93% acceptance rate. Pennsylvania's six programs span a $20,375 cost gap, with graduates earning $52,107 annually in a state where tech giants like Comcast and pharmaceutical companies increasingly value cognitive research expertise. The combination of generous financial aid at elite institutions and strong regional demand for cognitive specialists creates unique opportunities for students.
6
Programs
$18,686 – $39,061
Net Price Range
$52,107
Avg. Program Earnings
91.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

6 Cognitive Science Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $18,686 $62,412 94.1% 6.9%
2 $25,210 $68,300 89.4% 14.2%
3 $31,229 $66,104 96.8% 6.5%
4 $31,671 $63,829 92.5% 11.3%
5 $33,549 $62,180 89.2% 37.0%
6 $39,061 $68,380 86.0% 36.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Swarthmore achieve such low net costs for Cognitive Science students?

Swarthmore's $18,686 net price represents substantial financial aid despite $62,412 sticker costs. The college meets 100% of demonstrated need, making it more affordable than many public alternatives for qualifying students.

What explains the $20,375 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Financial aid policies vary significantly across Pennsylvania's private colleges offering Cognitive Science. While Franklin and Marshall costs $39,061 net, Swarthmore and Haverford provide much larger aid packages to middle-income families.

Is the $52,107 earning potential competitive for Cognitive Science graduates in Pennsylvania?

This salary reflects strong demand from Pennsylvania employers like UPMC healthcare systems and pharmaceutical research companies. The state's concentration of medical and tech industries values cognitive science expertise for user experience and clinical research roles.

Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.