Best colleges for Neurobiology and Neurosciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Neurobiology and Neurosciences by graduate earnings are Fordham University ($47,985), Harvard University ($46,993) and Macalester College ($45,450), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Fordham University (Bronx, NY): $47,985, 32 graduates a year
- Harvard University (Cambridge, MA): $46,993, 149 graduates a year
- Macalester College (Saint Paul, MN): $45,450, 21 graduates a year
- Union College (Schenectady, NY): $44,927, 24 graduates a year
- Trinity College (Hartford, CT): $44,823, 34 graduates a year
Compare 348 U.S. colleges offering Neurobiology and Neurosciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 46 states.
Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,854 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 26.15 and the Biological Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs
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 of neural processes and their implications for health and disease. It prepares graduates for advanced studies or careers in research, healthcare, and related fields.
Students in this program will develop core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and scientific analysis. Coursework typically includes biology, chemistry, and mathematics, along with hands-on research experience in neuroanatomy and neurobiology, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the nervous system.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fordham University Bronx, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $47,985 | 32 | 82% | $38,931 | $26,917 |
| 2 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $46,993 | 149 | 98% | $15,013 | — |
| 3 | Macalester College Saint Paul, MN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $45,450 | 21 | 87% | $21,441 | $24,177 |
| 4 | Union College Schenectady, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,927 | 24 | 80% | $25,885 | $24,989 |
| 5 | Trinity College Hartford, CT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,823 | 34 | 84% | $25,245 | $24,022 |
| 6 | Middlebury College Middlebury, VT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,585 | 52 | 91% | $20,918 | $11,900 |
| 7 | Northeastern University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,894 | 223 | 91% | $18,925 | $25,000 |
| 8 | Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $43,373 | 37 | 95% | $15,454 | $19,500 |
| 9 | Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,752 | 33 | 91% | $29,107 | $16,000 |
| 10 | Dartmouth College Hanover, NH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $41,673 | 61 | 96% | $14,689 | $18,061 |
| 11 | Pomona College Claremont, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,967 | 26 | 93% | $16,571 | — |
| 12 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,880 | 158 | 97% | $22,055 | $12,000 |
| 13 | University of New Hampshire Durham, NH Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,573 | 36 | 76% | — | $26,841 |
| 14 | Boston University Boston, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $39,093 | 146 | 89% | $21,956 | $26,000 |
| 15 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,011 | 31 | 65% | — | $22,000 |
| 16 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $38,063 | 123 | 92% | $26,873 | $15,750 |
| 17 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,612 | 36 | 83% | — | $21,177 |
| 18 | University of Chicago Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,246 | 63 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 19 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $37,208 | 95 | 97% | $16,260 | $12,645 |
| 20 | Smith College Northampton, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $36,727 | 26 | 89% | $17,183 | $19,000 |
| 21 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,980 | 100 | 74% | — | $21,900 |
| 22 | Rhodes College Memphis, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,556 | 36 | 85% | $19,854 | $19,500 |
| 23 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,334 | 147 | 95% | $14,799 | $16,948 |
| 24 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,820 | 284 | 89% | — | $23,612 |
| 25 | Oberlin College Oberlin, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $34,593 | 21 | 81% | $28,313 | — |
Specializations within Neurobiology and Neurosciences
4 of the 5 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 26.15 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- NeuroscienceCIP 26.150111,787 graduates / yr337 institutions46 states
- Neurobiology and AnatomyCIP 26.1503815 graduates / yr21 institutions17 states
- Neurobiology and NeurosciencesCIP 26.1599263 graduates / yr11 institutions7 states
- Neurobiology and BehaviorCIP 26.1504partial data169 graduates / yr8 institutions6 states
Show all 5 codes (1 with no U.S. programs reported)+
- Neuroanatomy26.1502
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Offered across 46 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4021, Biological Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Neurobiology and Neurosciences program can expect a career outlook that is about as fast as average, with an annual opening of approximately 9,100 positions. The median wage for related occupations is around $52,000, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Neurobiology and Neurosciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 26.15.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 26.15 (Neurobiology and Neurosciences) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managers |
| 19-1029 | Biological Scientists, All Other |
| 19-1042 | Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists |
| 19-4021 | Biological Techniciansprimary |
| 25-1042 | Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
- Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
- Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Neurobiology and Behavior, and others.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, writing, and scientific analysis.
What kind of research will I conduct?+
You may conduct research involving the collection of biological samples and analyzing experimental data.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 9,100 annual openings and a median wage of $52,000.
How much do Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates earn?+
Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $31,854, College Scorecard (2019); the Biological Technicians occupation pays about $61,380 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Neurobiology and Neurosciences?+
Neurobiology and Neurosciences maps to CIP 26.15 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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