by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Neurobiology & Neurosciences focuses on the study of the brain and nervous system. This is a very important field that will allow you to unlock secrets of how the brain operates. If you are scientific minded with a love of figuring out how things work, this could be a great major for you.
Students of Neurobiology and Neuroscience will study the structure and functions of the brain, the importance of the nervous system, how nerve cells send and receive signals, and the evolution of the brain. You will take a closer look at consciousness and how the brain controls all functions of your body, as well as what can happen when something goes wrong. Part of the major involves studying the effects of drugs and alcohol on your brain and nervous system.
Classes that you will come across in this major are: chemistry, physics, biology, biochemistry, cell biology, microbiology, advanced mathematics, immunology, neurobiology, neuropsychology, physiology, and drugs and behavior.
Concentrations in this major include: Neuroscience, Neuroanatomy, Neurobiology and Anatomy, and Neurobiology and Behavior.
A degree in Neurobiology & Neurosciences covers Neurobiology And Neurosciences. Continue reading for the key facts every neurobiology & neurosciences student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering neurobiology & neurosciences programs.
Nationwide, neurobiology & neurosciences draws strong interest, with 12,819 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools ranking analyzes these 343 schools to determine the best overall colleges for neurobiology & neurosciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of neurobiology & neurosciences programs later in this article.
Studies in Neurobiology & Neurosciences emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations neurobiology & neurosciences graduates commonly enter.
This is a very rigorous and competitive field. Many colleges will only accept a small number of students into this program every year. Be prepared to study meticulously so that you are able to perform both in lecture and lab. It is also important that you know how to work with others and collaborate. This will allow you to get the most thorough and accurate results. Effective organization will allow you to keep up with assignments and meet deadlines.
This major will require analytical, reasoning, and critical thinking skills. You will be asked to research and analyze your results. Patience will be helpful as you solve problems and conduct research. You need to know when to ask for help and when to persevere and try a different approach. Group work will play a large role in your undergraduate studies. Learn to contribute your thoughts and ideas as well as step into the leadership role when needed. Most colleges will require you to design and conduct a research project with the supervision and guidance of a faculty member.
As this is a competitive field to go into, high school students are advised to gain a deep understanding of math and science before applying. Take as many courses in biology, chemistry, math and physics as possible.
The skill set emphasized by a neurobiology & neurosciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a neurobiology & neurosciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several neurobiology & neurosciences degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 10 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 11,287 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 654 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 864 |
People currently working in careers related to neurobiology & neurosciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 19.8% |
| Master’s degree | 18.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 16.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in neurobiology & neurosciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
This major will prepare you for many different careers in advanced biology. You will be prepared to work as a neuroscientist, in medicine, business, or even law. Other career paths that you could pursue are biotechnology, research, psychology, or even education. Your salary may vary depending on your field.
Majoring in neurobiology & neurosciences opens doors to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to neurobiology & neurosciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to neurobiology & neurosciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | 125,815 | 8.9% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of neurobiology & neurosciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $31,154 |
| 4 years | $54,347 |
| 5 years | $68,598 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for neurobiology & neurosciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers neurobiology & neurosciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $111,314 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
With 343 different neurobiology & neurosciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased neurobiology & neurosciences school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in neurobiology & neurosciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 11,557 |
| Neurobiology and Anatomy | 780 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other | 299 |
| Neurobiology and Behavior | 183 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biology, General | 101,585 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 13,820 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 11,175 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 9,295 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 6,355 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | 4,711 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 4,612 |
| Biotechnology | 3,869 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | 3,638 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 3,408 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
