Best institutions to study Neuroscience
A program that focuses on the interdisciplinary scientific study of the molecular, structural, physiologic, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of the brain and nervous system.
337 U.S. institutions graduated 11,787 Neuroscience students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1501, a specialization of Neurobiology and Neurosciences (CIP 26.15), and leads most directly to the Biological Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4021).
About Neuroscience programs
A program that focuses on the interdisciplinary scientific study of the molecular, structural, physiologic, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of the brain and nervous system. Includes instruction in molecular and cellular neuroscience, brain science, anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system, molecular and biochemical bases of information processing, behavioral neuroscience, biology of neuropsychiatric disorders, and applications to the clinical sciences and biomedical engineering.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Neuroscience program, part of the Neurobiology and Neurosciences field, focuses on the interdisciplinary study of the brain and nervous system. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring molecular, structural, physiological, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of neuroscience. It prepares graduates for various roles in research and clinical applications related to the nervous system.
Students in this program gain knowledge in molecular and cellular neuroscience, brain science, and the anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system. Core skills include critical thinking, active learning, and scientific research methodologies, providing a strong foundation for further studies or careers in the biological and biomedical sciences.
Credentials awarded
What Neuroscience graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree10,209 graduates / yr · 272 institutions87%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship836 graduates / yr · 113 institutions7.1%
- Master's degree554 graduates / yr · 66 institutions4.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year126 graduates / yr · 6 institutions1.1%
- Post-master's certificate34 graduates / yr · 4 institutions0.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate23 graduates / yr · 10 institutions0.2%
- Associate's degree5 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Neuroscience completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 3,810 |
| 2013 | 4,267 |
| 2014 | 4,749 |
| 2015 | 5,507 |
| 2016 | 5,860 |
| 2017 | 6,657 |
| 2018 | 7,130 |
| 2019 | 7,975 |
| 2020 | 8,798 |
| 2021 | 9,687 |
| 2022 | 10,593 |
| 2023 | 11,091 |
| 2024 | 10,982 |
| 2025 | 11,787 |
Top 50 institutions for Neuroscience, 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 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 296 | 76% | — | $25,395 |
| 2 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 284 | 89% | — | $34,820 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 233 | 90% | — | $31,687 |
| 4 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 229 | 88% | — | $29,638 |
| 5 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralMaster's | 227 | 93% | — | $23,468 |
| 6 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 223 | 91% | $18,925 | $43,894 |
| 7 | Binghamton University Vestal, NYPublicBachelor's | 221 | 82% | — | $25,266 |
| 8 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 220 | 93% | — | $30,501 |
| 9 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 213 | 85% | — | $27,775 |
| 10 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 203 | 91% | $20,586 | $26,663 |
| 11 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 202 | 91% | — | $22,183 |
| 12 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Master's | 197 | 81% | — | $27,183 |
| 13 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 178 | 86% | — | $29,081 |
| 14 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 166 | 86% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 158 | 97% | $22,055 | $39,880 |
| 16 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 146 | 89% | $21,956 | $39,093 |
| 17 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 145 | 76% | — | $19,286 |
| 18 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 145 | 86% | $33,106 | $22,270 |
| 19 | University of Notre Dame Notre Dame, INPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 143 | 95% | $19,452 | $24,615 |
| 20 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 140 | 94% | $11,888 | $28,108 |
| 21 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sMaster'sDoctoral | 140 | 96% | $15,315 | $33,893 |
| 22 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor's | 138 | 74% | — | $21,138 |
| 23 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 136 | 95% | $14,799 | $35,334 |
| 24 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 135 | 80% | — | $25,202 |
| 25 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 127 | 98% | $15,013 | $46,993 |
| 26 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 119 | 89% | — | — |
| 27 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 117 | 68% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 112 | 92% | $26,873 | $38,063 |
| 29 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 111 | 85% | — | $28,441 |
| 30 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 111 | 81% | $13,712 | $27,986 |
| 31 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 109 | 68% | — | $25,460 |
| 32 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 108 | 53% | — | $22,865 |
| 33 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 108 | 91% | $21,126 | — |
| 34 | Georgia Institute of Technology - Main Campus Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor's | 107 | 94% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicBachelor's | 105 | 64% | — | — |
| 36 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 104 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 37 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor's | 100 | 74% | — | $35,980 |
| 38 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 98 | 62% | — | $26,074 |
| 39 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 98 | 84% | — | — |
| 40 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 97 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 41 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 95 | 97% | $16,260 | $37,208 |
| 42 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoral | 93 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 43 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster'sDoctoralPost-degree cert. | 91 | 75% | — | — |
| 44 | New York University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 88 | 88% | $29,023 | $25,506 |
| 45 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 86 | 80% | $35,682 | $24,100 |
| 46 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 84 | 58% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 83 | 71% | — | $33,030 |
| 48 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 82 | 75% | — | $30,956 |
| 49 | Parker University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 79 | 74% | $27,144 | — |
| 50 | University of San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 78 | 84% | $26,035 | $33,641 |
* 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 46 states & territories
Where Neuroscience graduates come from. Each state links to all Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4021, Biological Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Neuroscience program can pursue careers as Biological Technicians, with an annual median wage of $52,000 and a job outlook growth rate of 3.5%. With approximately 9,100 annual openings, a Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions in this field.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1501
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Biological Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4021 | $57,510 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's 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 Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Neuroscience 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
- 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.
Tools and technology used
Other Neurobiology and Neurosciences specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Neurobiology and Neurosciences (CIP 26.15).
- Neurobiology and AnatomyCIP 26.1503815 graduates / yr21 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 Neuroscience?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Neuroscience.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active learning, and scientific research.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Neuroscience?+
You can work as a Biological Technician, Natural Sciences Manager, or a Biological Science Teacher.
What is the job outlook for Neuroscience graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 3.5% growth and 9,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Neuroscience?+
Neuroscience is CIP 26.1501 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 interdisciplinary scientific study of the molecular, structural, physiologic, cognitive, and behavioral aspects of the brain and nervous system. Includes instruction in molecular and cellular neuroscience, brain science, anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system, molecular and biochemical bases of information processing, behavioral neuroscience, biology of neuropsychiatric disorders, and applications to the clinical sciences and biomedical engineering.
How many institutions offer Neuroscience programs?+
337 U.S. institutions reported Neuroscience graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 46 states & territories, awarding 11,787 credentials in the year. That is 90.4% of all Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates.
How much do Neuroscience graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Technicians occupation, which Neuroscience most directly leads to, pays a median of $57,510 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Neurobiology and Neurosciences field report median earnings of $31,854 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. This specialization accounts for nearly all Neurobiology and Neurosciences graduates, so its figures match the Neurobiology and Neurosciences program page.
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