by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 343 U.S. colleges awarded 12,421 degrees and certificates in Neurosciences. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 87% of graduates. College Factual ranks 191 schools in its 2027 Best 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 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].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, neurosciences draws strong interest, with 12,421 degrees awarded annually. 343 colleges award neurosciences degrees, an average of 36 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 299.
By level, the 12,421 awards include 5 associate degrees, 10,831 bachelor’s degrees, 737 master’s degrees and 848 doctorates.
Women earned 70% of neurosciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (8,665 of 12,421). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,736) and Asian (2,558), and international students earned 704.
College Factual ranks 191 schools in its 2027 Best Neurosciences Schools ranking, including 174 for bachelor’s degrees, 20 for master’s degrees and 36 for doctorates. It also ranks neurosciences schools within 39 states. In all, 343 colleges offer neurosciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Neurosciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common neurosciences credential is the bachelor’s degree: 10,831 of the 12,421 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to neurosciences call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Writing, 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a neurosciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 10,831 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 737 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 848 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to neurosciences, at 35.0%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to Neurosciences, with an average median salary of $93,879; the strongest outlook belongs to Biological Technicians, at 12.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Project Manager, Research Coordinator, Clinical Trials Manager and Clinical Manager.
The occupation related to 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% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
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 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 |
| 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 |
Neurosciences has 3 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 1,299 degrees a year; the largest are Neurobiology and Anatomy (839), Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other (274) and Neurobiology and Behavior (186). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Neurobiology and Anatomy | 839 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other | 274 |
| Neurobiology and Behavior | 186 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
