by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Neurosciences explores 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. 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. Examples: [Behavioral Neuroscience], [Cognitive Neuroscience], [Computational Neuroscience], [Developmental Neuroscience], [Molecular And Cellular Neuroscience], [Systems Neuroscience]. Continue reading for the key facts every neurosciences major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering neurosciences programs.
Nationwide, neurosciences draws strong interest, with 11,557 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Neurosciences Schools ranking analyzes these 332 schools to determine the best overall colleges for neurosciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of neurosciences programs later in this article.
Coursework for Neurosciences build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations neurosciences graduates commonly enter.
The skill set developed in a neurosciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a neurosciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several 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 | 10,180 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 598 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 765 |
People currently working in careers related to neurosciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 35.0% |
| Master’s degree | 19.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 17.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.5% |
| Some college courses | 2.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in neurosciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying neurosciences can lead to numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to neurosciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to 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% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of neurosciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise 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 neurosciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers neurosciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| 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 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
With 332 different neurosciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased neurosciences school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in neurosciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Neurobiology and Anatomy | 780 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other | 299 |
| Neurobiology and Behavior | 183 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
