Biological And Biomedical SciencesSpecialization of Neurobiology and Neurosciences

Best institutions to study Neurobiology and Neurosciences

CIP 26.1599

Any instructional program in neurobiology and neurosciences not listed above.

11 U.S. institutions graduated 263 Neurobiology and Neurosciences students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1599, a specialization of Neurobiology and Neurosciences (CIP 26.15), and leads most directly to the Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists occupation (BLS SOC 19-1042).

Other Neurobiology and Neurosciences specializations
Institutions
11
offering CIP 26.1599
States offered
7
with graduates reported
Graduates / yr
263
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Women
65%
share of graduates
US median pay · Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
$103,410
BLS OEWS May 2025
Share of Neurobiology and Neurosciences
2.0%
of all Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates

About Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs

Official NCES definition · CIP 26.1599
Any instructional program in neurobiology and neurosciences not listed above.
Also offered asMedical NeurobiologyComputational Neurobiology

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).

The Neurobiology and Neurosciences program focuses on the study of the nervous system and its impact on behavior and cognitive functions. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring the biological and biomedical sciences, particularly those who wish to understand the complexities of neurobiological processes. Students will engage in a variety of topics, including medical neurobiology and computational neurobiology.

What you'll learn

Students in this program will develop essential skills in writing, critical thinking, and active learning, while gaining knowledge in biology, chemistry, and mathematics. Coursework typically includes hands-on research and analysis of organ, tissue, and cell samples, preparing students for advanced study and research in the field.

Credentials awarded

What Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).

  • Bachelor's degree249 graduates / yr · 7 institutions
    95%
  • Postbaccalaureate certificate8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions
    3.0%
  • Doctor's degree - research/scholarship5 graduates / yr · 2 institutions
    1.9%
  • Master's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution
    0.4%

Graduates over time

Neurobiology and Neurosciences completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.

263graduates in 2025
+26200% since 2012
289 · 2024201220251263
Graduates per year (IPEDS completions)
YearGraduates
20121
20137
20149
20159
201613
201721
201854
201959
202088
2021148
2022257
2023264
2024289
2025263

Top 11 institutions for Neurobiology and Neurosciences, ranked by graduates

Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.

#InstitutionGraduates / yrGrad rateNet priceField earnings* (1 yr)
1University of California - San Diego
La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor's
17286%—$32,081
2Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's
4773%$33,454$26,251
3University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's
1192%$26,873$38,063
4Lipscomb University
Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's
1072%$24,309—
5Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PAPublicPost-degree cert.
654%——
6Western New England University
Springfield, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's
564%$29,327—
7California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's
394%$17,608—
8Wesleyan College
Macon, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's
345%$16,312—
9Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral
394%$23,803—
10Michigan State University
East Lansing, MIPublicPost-degree cert.
281%—$27,183
11Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's
160%$19,953—

* 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 7 states

Where Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates come from. Each state links to all Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs offered there.

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-1042, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Neurobiology and Neurosciences program can pursue careers as medical scientists, natural sciences managers, or biological science teachers. The job outlook for related occupations is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.7% and around 9,600 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is approximately $100,590, often requiring a doctoral or professional degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+8.7%
Much faster than average
Openings / yr (US)
~9,600
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$100,590
typically Doctoral or professional degree
National employment
172,340
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
US average pay
$116,840
annual, BLS OEWS May 2025
US median pay
$103,410
annual

Top-paying metros

Syracuse, NY
$182,580avg
Vallejo, CA
$162,840avg
Topeka, KS
$162,650avg
Charleston-North Charleston, SC
$160,640avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$157,540avg

Career pathways for CIP 26.1599

The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.

OccupationUS median payGrowthOpenings / yrTypical entry education
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologistsprimary
SOC 19-1042
$103,410+8.7%
Much faster than average
~9,600Doctoral or professional degree
Natural Sciences Managers
SOC 11-9121
$167,220+3.7%
About as fast as average
~8,500Bachelor's degree
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC 25-1042
$84,620+7.3%
Faster than average
~5,400Doctoral or professional degree
Biological Scientists, All Other
SOC 19-1029
$98,920+1.2%
Little or no change
~4,800Bachelor's degree
Preparation needed

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

Biological Scientists, All Other
$106,330 avg · 55,850 jobs
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$102,840 avg · 50,190 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Writing
Active Learning
Science
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Mathematics

Knowledge areas

Biology
English Language
Medicine and Dentistry
Chemistry
Mathematics
Computers and Electronics

Abilities that matter most

Oral Expression
Inductive Reasoning
Written Expression
Deductive Reasoning
Written Comprehension
Oral Comprehension

Day-to-day work activities

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Thinking Creatively
Getting Information
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Working with Computers

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

Adobe PhotoshopBioArray Software Environment BASEDatabase softwareESRI ArcGIS softwareFileMaker ProIBM NotesIBM SPSS StatisticsIntegrated development environment IDE software

Other Neurobiology and Neurosciences specializations

The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Neurobiology and Neurosciences (CIP 26.15).

Common questions

What degrees can I earn in this program?+

You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Doctor's degree, or Master's degree.

How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+

There are 11 colleges offering the Neurobiology and Neurosciences program.

What skills will I develop?+

You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, science, and active learning.

What is the job outlook for graduates?+

The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 8.7% and around 9,600 annual openings.

What is the CIP code for Neurobiology and Neurosciences?+

Neurobiology and Neurosciences is CIP 26.1599 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Neurobiology and Neurosciences (CIP 26.15). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in neurobiology and neurosciences not listed above.

How many institutions offer Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs?+

11 U.S. institutions reported Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 7 states, awarding 263 credentials in the year. That is 2.0% of all Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates.

How much do Neurobiology and Neurosciences 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 Neurosciences 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).

Other Neurobiology and Neurosciences specializationsNeuroscienceNeurobiology and AnatomyNeurobiology and Behavior

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.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.

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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