by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 354 U.S. colleges awarded 13,720 degrees and certificates in Neurobiology & Neurosciences. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 87% of graduates. College Factual ranks 200 schools in its 2027 Best Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $31,434 one year after completing, rising to $64,896 after four years.
A 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, neurobiology & neurosciences draws strong interest, with 13,720 degrees awarded annually. 354 colleges award neurobiology & neurosciences degrees, an average of 39 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 428.
By level, the 13,720 awards include 5 associate degrees, 11,957 bachelor’s degrees, 801 master’s degrees and 957 doctorates.
Women earned 69% of neurobiology & neurosciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (9,528 of 13,720). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (6,150) and Asian (3,013), and international students earned 800.
College Factual ranks 200 schools in its 2027 Best Neurobiology & Neurosciences Schools ranking, including 182 for bachelor’s degrees, 23 for master’s degrees and 42 for doctorates. It also ranks neurobiology & neurosciences schools within 39 states. In all, 354 colleges offer neurobiology & neurosciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Neurobiology & Neurosciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common neurobiology & neurosciences credential is the bachelor’s degree: 11,957 of the 13,720 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to neurobiology & neurosciences call most for Reading Comprehension, Writing and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Biology, English Language and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Written Comprehension, Oral Expression and Oral Comprehension.
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.
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How long a neurobiology & neurosciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 11,957 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 801 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 957 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to neurobiology & neurosciences, at 32.1%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
11 occupations are related to Neurobiology & Neurosciences, with an average median salary of $95,464; the strongest outlook belongs to Biological Technicians, at 12.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Trials Manager, Clinical Project Manager, Research Coordinator and Scientist.
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.
The occupation related to neurobiology & neurosciences with the most projected jobs is Clinical Research Coordinators, at 542,888.
| 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% |
Neurobiology & Neurosciences graduates earn a median $31,434 one year after completing their program, $64,896 after four years and $68,761 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $31,434 |
| 4 years | $64,896 |
| 5 years | $68,761 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to neurobiology & neurosciences is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| 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 |
Neurobiology & Neurosciences includes 4 concentrations that together award 13,720 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Neuroscience (12,421), Neurobiology and Anatomy (839) and Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other (274). It has 14 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 173,383 degrees a year; the largest are Biology, General (103,797), Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology (14,729) and Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences (12,732). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 12,421 |
| Neurobiology and Anatomy | 839 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other | 274 |
| Neurobiology and Behavior | 186 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biology, General | 103,797 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 14,729 |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 12,732 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 9,697 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 6,673 |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 4,879 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | 4,738 |
| Biotechnology | 4,423 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | 4,228 |
| Zoology/Animal Biology | 3,447 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
