by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 8 U.S. colleges awarded 186 degrees and certificates in Neurobiology & Behavior. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 81% of graduates. College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best Neurobiology & Behavior 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 & Behavior covers Neurobiology And Behavior. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Structure And Function Of The Central And Peripheral Nervous System In Vertebrates And Invertebrates As It Relates To Control Of Behavior. Includes Instruction In Neuronal Systems And Circuits, Higher Level Studies Of Behavior And Cognition, Computational Neurobiology, And Behavioral Manifestations Of Central Nervous System Diseases And Disorders.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, neurobiology & behavior is a widely-pursued major, with 186 degrees awarded annually. 8 colleges award neurobiology & behavior degrees, an average of 23 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 62.
By level, the 186 awards include 150 bachelor’s degrees, 18 master’s degrees and 18 doctorates.
Women earned 80% of neurobiology & behavior degrees and certificates in the latest year (148 of 186). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (91) and Hispanic or Latino (33), and international students earned 14.
College Factual ranks 4 schools in its 2027 Best Neurobiology & Behavior Schools ranking, including 4 for bachelor’s degrees, 1 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks neurobiology & behavior schools within 3 states. In all, 8 colleges offer neurobiology & behavior programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Neurobiology & Behavior Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common neurobiology & behavior credential is the bachelor’s degree: 150 of the 186 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to neurobiology & behavior 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 Written Expression.
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How long a neurobiology & behavior degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 150 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 18 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 18 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to neurobiology & behavior, at 31.3%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to Neurobiology & Behavior, with an average median salary of $94,994; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Trials Manager, Clinical Project Manager, Research Coordinator and Scientist.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to neurobiology & behavior, at 542,888.
| 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% |
Neurobiology & Behavior 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 & behavior 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 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
Neurobiology & Behavior has 3 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 13,534 degrees a year; the largest are Neuroscience (12,421), Neurobiology and Anatomy (839) and Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other (274). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 12,421 |
| Neurobiology and Anatomy | 839 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other | 274 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
