Best institutions to study Neurobiology and Anatomy
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system in vertebrates and invertebrates.
21 U.S. institutions graduated 815 Neurobiology and Anatomy students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1503, a specialization of Neurobiology and Neurosciences (CIP 26.15), and leads most directly to the Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1042).
About Neurobiology and Anatomy programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system in vertebrates and invertebrates. Includes instruction in molecular and cellular studies of neuronal and glial cells and circuits, neural transmitters and receptors, neuronal signaling processes, membrane and synapse structure and communication, autonomic function, nervous system circuitry and mapping, and anatomical and functional basis of central nervous system diseases and disorders.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Neurobiology and Anatomy program focuses on the scientific study of the structure and function of the nervous system in both vertebrates and invertebrates. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the complexities of neuronal and glial cells, neural circuits, and the anatomical basis of central nervous system diseases and disorders. It prepares graduates for advanced studies and careers in various biological and biomedical sciences fields.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in writing, critical thinking, and active learning, along with a strong foundation in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Coursework typically includes molecular and cellular studies, neuronal signaling processes, and the evaluation of nervous system functions.
Credentials awarded
What Neurobiology and Anatomy graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree692 graduates / yr · 10 institutions85%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship86 graduates / yr · 10 institutions11%
- Master's degree36 graduates / yr · 4 institutions4.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Neurobiology and Anatomy completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 774 |
| 2013 | 754 |
| 2014 | 727 |
| 2015 | 742 |
| 2016 | 908 |
| 2017 | 921 |
| 2018 | 915 |
| 2019 | 902 |
| 2020 | 909 |
| 2021 | 991 |
| 2022 | 925 |
| 2023 | 740 |
| 2024 | 770 |
| 2025 | 815 |
Top 21 institutions for Neurobiology and Anatomy, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor's | 420 | 86% | — | $29,765 |
| 2 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor's | 85 | 87% | — | $21,818 |
| 3 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 66 | 85% | — | $23,464 |
| 4 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor's | 36 | 83% | — | $37,612 |
| 5 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicBachelor's | 35 | 75% | — | $33,094 |
| 6 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 24 | 83% | — | — |
| 7 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor's | 22 | 98% | $15,013 | $46,993 |
| 8 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 19 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 9 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 16 | 59% | — | $28,220 |
| 10 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicDoctoral | 14 | 75% | — | — |
| 11 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 13 | 85% | — | $27,775 |
| 12 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicDoctoral | 13 | 65% | — | — |
| 13 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 11 | 95% | $14,799 | $35,334 |
| 14 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor's | 10 | 73% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 9 | 96% | $13,333 | $37,246 |
| 16 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicDoctoral | 8 | 64% | — | — |
| 17 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicDoctoral | 4 | 84% | — | — |
| 18 | The University of Texas at San Antonio San Antonio, TXPublicDoctoral | 4 | 53% | — | — |
| 19 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's | 3 | 86% | — | $32,081 |
| 20 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 21 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Neurobiology and Neurosciences field (CIP 26.15) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 17 states
Where Neurobiology and Anatomy graduates come from. Each state links to all Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3 | 508 | University of California - Davis420 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 66 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus66 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 36 | Purdue University - Main Campus36 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 35 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus35 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 24 | University of Connecticut24 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 22 | Harvard University22 / yr |
| Illinois | 2 | 20 | Northwestern University11 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 19 | Georgetown University19 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 16 | Central Michigan University16 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 15 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus13 / yr |
| Iowa | 1 | 14 | University of Iowa14 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 13 | University of Utah13 / yr |
| Rhode Island | 1 | 10 | University of Rhode Island10 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 8 | University of Alabama at Birmingham8 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 4 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick4 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 4 | The University of Texas at San Antonio4 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 1 | University of Rochester1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1042, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Neurobiology and Anatomy program can pursue careers as medical scientists, natural sciences managers, or biological science teachers. The job outlook for medical scientists is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.7%, approximately 9,600 annual openings, and a median wage of $100,590, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1503
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistsprimary SOC 19-1042 | $103,410 | +8.7% Much faster than average | ~9,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Neurobiology and Anatomy programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Follow strict safety procedures when handling toxic materials to avoid contamination.
- Evaluate effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, parasites, and microorganisms at various levels.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Prepare and analyze organ, tissue, and cell samples to identify toxicity, bacteria, or microorganisms or to study cell structure.
- Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings to the scientific audience and general public.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
Tools and technology used
Other Neurobiology and Neurosciences specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Neurobiology and Neurosciences (CIP 26.15).
- NeuroscienceCIP 26.150111,787 graduates / yr337 institutions
- Neurobiology and NeurosciencesCIP 26.1599263 graduates / yr11 institutions
- Neurobiology and BehaviorCIP 26.1504partial data169 graduates / yr8 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes 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.
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Doctor's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, active learning, and various scientific methodologies.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a medical scientist, natural sciences manager, or biological science teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth of 8.7% and about 9,600 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Neurobiology and Anatomy?+
Neurobiology and Anatomy is CIP 26.1503 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Neurobiology and Neurosciences (CIP 26.15). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system in vertebrates and invertebrates. Includes instruction in molecular and cellular studies of neuronal and glial cells and circuits, neural transmitters and receptors, neuronal signaling processes, membrane and synapse structure and communication, autonomic function, nervous system circuitry and mapping, and anatomical and functional basis of central nervous system diseases and disorders.
How many institutions offer Neurobiology and Anatomy programs?+
21 U.S. institutions reported Neurobiology and Anatomy graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 17 states, awarding 815 credentials in the year. That is 6.3% of all Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates.
How much do Neurobiology and Anatomy graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation, which Neurobiology and Anatomy most directly leads to, pays a median of $103,410 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Neurobiology and Neurosciences field report median earnings of $32,081 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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