Best institutions to study Neurobiology and Behavior
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the structure and function of the central and peripheral nervous system in vertebrates and invertebrates as it relates to control of behavior.
8 U.S. institutions graduated 169 Neurobiology and Behavior students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1504, 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 Behavior 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 as it relates to control of behavior. Includes instruction in neuronal systems and circuits, higher level studies of behavior and cognition, computational neurobiology, and behavioral manifestations of central nervous system diseases and disorders.
See also: 30.1701 - Behavioral Sciences., 30.1001 - Biopsychology., 42.2706 - Behavioral Neuroscience.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Neurobiology and Behavior program, part of the Neurobiology and Neurosciences field, focuses on the scientific study of the nervous system's structure and function in relation to behavior. This program is designed for students interested in understanding how neuronal systems and circuits influence cognition and behavior, as well as the impact of central nervous system diseases and disorders.
Students in this program will gain core skills in writing, critical thinking, and active learning, alongside knowledge in biology, chemistry, and medicine. Coursework typically includes studies in neuronal systems, computational neurobiology, and the behavioral manifestations of neurological conditions.
Credentials awarded
What Neurobiology and Behavior graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree133 graduates / yr · 5 institutions79%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship18 graduates / yr · 2 institutions11%
- Master's degree13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions7.7%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate5 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.0%
Graduates over time
Neurobiology and Behavior completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 119 |
| 2013 | 119 |
| 2014 | 119 |
| 2015 | 124 |
| 2016 | 184 |
| 2017 | 160 |
| 2018 | 187 |
| 2019 | 72 |
| 2020 | 161 |
| 2021 | 200 |
| 2022 | 185 |
| 2023 | 168 |
| 2024 | 175 |
| 2025 | 169 |
Top 8 institutions for Neurobiology and Behavior, 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 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 50 | 73% | $33,454 | $26,251 |
| 2 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MIPublicBachelor's | 47 | 67% | — | $32,644 |
| 3 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 25 | 87% | — | $21,818 |
| 4 | University of Michigan - Dearborn Dearborn, MIPublicBachelor's | 24 | 58% | — | — |
| 5 | Saint Edward's University Austin, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 63% | $24,630 | $29,418 |
| 6 | Cornell University Ithaca, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 6 | 95% | $17,613 | — |
| 7 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 68% | — | $25,460 |
| 8 | La Sierra University Riverside, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 4 | 60% | $26,504 | — |
* 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 6 states
Where Neurobiology and Behavior graduates come from. Each state links to all Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 2 | 71 | Grand Valley State University47 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 50 | Loyola University Chicago50 / yr |
| California | 2 | 29 | University of California - Irvine25 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 8 | Saint Edward's University8 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 6 | Cornell University6 / yr |
| Arizona | 1 | 5 | University of Arizona5 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1042, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Neurobiology and Behavior program can pursue careers as medical scientists, natural sciences managers, or biological science teachers. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 8.7% and approximately 9,600 annual openings. The median wage for related occupations is around $100,590, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1504
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 Behavior 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 AnatomyCIP 26.1503815 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Neurobiology and NeurosciencesCIP 26.1599263 graduates / yr11 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, science, and active learning.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a medical scientist, natural sciences manager, or biological science teacher.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.7%.
What is the CIP code for Neurobiology and Behavior?+
Neurobiology and Behavior is CIP 26.1504 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 as it relates to control of behavior. Includes instruction in neuronal systems and circuits, higher level studies of behavior and cognition, computational neurobiology, and behavioral manifestations of central nervous system diseases and disorders.
How many institutions offer Neurobiology and Behavior programs?+
8 U.S. institutions reported Neurobiology and Behavior graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 6 states, awarding 169 credentials in the year. That is 1.3% of all Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates.
How much do Neurobiology and Behavior 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 Behavior 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 $26,251 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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