by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Neurobiology & Anatomy involves the study of 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. 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. Examples: [Neurobiology And Neurophysiology]. Continue reading for the essential details every neurobiology & anatomy major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering neurobiology & anatomy programs.
Nationwide, neurobiology & anatomy draws strong interest, with 780 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Neurobiology & Anatomy Schools ranking analyzes these 21 schools to determine the best overall colleges for neurobiology & anatomy students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of neurobiology & anatomy programs later in this article.
Studies in Neurobiology & Anatomy emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations neurobiology & anatomy graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a neurobiology & anatomy program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a neurobiology & anatomy major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several neurobiology & anatomy 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 662 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 36 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 82 |
People currently working in careers related to neurobiology & anatomy tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.3% |
| Post-doctoral training | 20.3% |
| Master’s degree | 18.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 17.0% |
| 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-master’s certificate | 1.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in neurobiology & anatomy careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying neurobiology & anatomy prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to neurobiology & anatomy.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to neurobiology & anatomy.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| 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% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of neurobiology & anatomy graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb 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 & anatomy graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers neurobiology & anatomy 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 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
With 21 different neurobiology & anatomy programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased neurobiology & anatomy school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in neurobiology & anatomy, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 11,557 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other | 299 |
| Neurobiology and Behavior | 183 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
