Illinois · Neurobiology and Neurosciences

Best colleges for Neurobiology and Neurosciences in Illinois

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Chicago, Northwestern University and Loyola University Chicago are the top bachelor's Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs in Illinois by graduate earnings. University of Chicago leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,246, College Scorecard. Northwestern University, Loyola University Chicago and University of Illinois Chicago award the most Neurobiology and Neurosciences degrees in Illinois: 147, 99 and 98 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 16 Illinois colleges offer Neurobiology and Neurosciences and award 538 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Neurobiology and Neurosciences program focuses on the study of the nervous system, encompassing various aspects of brain function and behavior. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the biological foundations…

Institutions
16
offering CIP 26.15
States offered
46
with a program page
Degrees / yr
538
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$26,908
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
6
College Scorecard
Median net price
$23,461
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
73%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Biological Technicians
$56,790
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 6 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1University of Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$37,2466396%$13,333—
2Northwestern University
Evanston Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$35,33414795%$14,799$16,948
3Loyola University Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree
$26,2519973%$33,454$25,000
4University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago Public · Bachelor's degree
$26,0749862%—$17,562
5Augustana College
Rock Island Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$34,069873%$14,960$26,002
6North Central College
Naperville Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program
$26,908764%$20,052$23,323

Colleges awarding the most Neurobiology and Neurosciences degrees in Illinois

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Northwestern University
Evanston Private not-for-profit
147$35,334
2Loyola University Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit
99$26,251
3University of Illinois Chicago
Chicago Public
98$26,074
4University of Chicago
Chicago Private not-for-profit
63$37,246
5DePaul University
Chicago Private not-for-profit
41Not reported
6Lake Forest College
Lake Forest Private not-for-profit
19Not reported
7Dominican University
River Forest Private not-for-profit
16Not reported
8Illinois Wesleyan University
Bloomington Private not-for-profit
14Not reported
9University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Champaign Public
11Not reported
10Augustana College
Rock Island Private not-for-profit
8$34,069
Show the other 6 Illinois colleges offering Neurobiology and Neurosciences
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
North Central CollegeNapervillePrivate not-for-profit7
Monmouth CollegeMonmouthPrivate not-for-profit5
Knox CollegeGalesburgPrivate not-for-profit3
Wheaton CollegeWheatonPrivate not-for-profit3
Eastern Illinois UniversityCharlestonPublic2
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (Graduate only)North ChicagoPrivate not-for-profit2

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Biological Technicians (SOC 19-4021).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.5%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~9,100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$52,000
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingScienceActive ListeningActive LearningWriting

What Biological Technicians earn in Illinois

Jobs in Illinois
790
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$56,790
median $55,790
Best-paying metro
$66,410
Peoria, IL

Related careers

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$108,130 avg · 2,340 jobs
Biological Scientists, All Other
$92,380 avg · 1,300 jobs
Biological Technicians
$56,790 avg · 790 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs in Illinois.

Which Illinois colleges award the most Neurobiology and Neurosciences degrees?+

Northwestern University (147 graduates a year), Loyola University Chicago (99 graduates a year) and University of Illinois Chicago (98 graduates a year) award the most Neurobiology and Neurosciences degrees in Illinois, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 16 Illinois colleges offer Neurobiology and Neurosciences.

What is the best college for Neurobiology and Neurosciences in Illinois?+

By graduate earnings, University of Chicago leads among bachelor's Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs in Illinois, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,246, College Scorecard. Northwestern University and Loyola University Chicago follow. By degrees awarded, Northwestern University is the largest, with 147 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

Which Neurobiology and Neurosciences program in Illinois has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Chicago tops the list at $37,246. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Biological Technicians earn in Illinois?+

The average annual wage for Biological Technicians in Illinois is $56,790 (median $55,790), across about 790 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Neurobiology and Neurosciences program?+

The Neurobiology and Neurosciences program focuses on the study of the nervous system, encompassing various aspects of brain function and behavior. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the biological foundations…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop reading comprehension, critical thinking, science, active listening, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Biological Technicians?+

The national job outlook is about +3.5% growth with around 9,100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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