2026 Best Neurosciences Schools in California
Neurosciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best neurosciences schools.
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Best Schools for Neurosciences in California
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the neurosciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Neurosciences
Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for neurosciences. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 92% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 12 neurosciences students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the neurosciences program make about $100,827 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
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University Of California Berkeley came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best neurosciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. University Of California Berkeley awarded about 10 neurosciences degrees in the most recent data year. Neurosciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete this degree.
See the full neurosciences program report for University Of California Berkeley
University Of California Los Angeles is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in neurosciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 158 neurosciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Students who receive their neurosciences degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $30,501 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,149.
More information about a degree in neurosciences from University Of California Los Angeles
Pomona College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in neurosciences, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Pomona College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. Pomona College awarded about 33 neurosciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the neurosciences program make about $39,967 in their early career.
More information about a degree in neurosciences from Pomona College
University Of California San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in neurosciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. About 25 neurosciences degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Neurosciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $32,081 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in neurosciences from University Of California San Diego
University Of California San Francisco came in at #6 for neurosciences this year. University Of California San Francisco is a mid-sized public school located in the city of San Francisco. About 22 neurosciences degrees were awarded at University Of California San Francisco in the most recent year. Graduates of the neurosciences program make about $118,532 in their early career.
More information about a degree in neurosciences from University Of California San Francisco
University Of Southern California ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best neurosciences schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 110 neurosciences degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Students who receive their neurosciences degree from University Of Southern California earn around $38,063 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans.
More information about a degree in neurosciences from University Of Southern California
University Of California Davis came in at #8 for neurosciences this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 14 neurosciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their neurosciences degree from University Of California Davis earn around $29,765 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,000.
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Claremont Mckenna College landed the #9 spot for neurosciences this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Claremont Mckenna College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 14 neurosciences degrees were awarded at Claremont Mckenna College in the most recent year. Neurosciences graduates of Claremont Mckenna College earn a median of $66,028 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $12,000.
See the full neurosciences program report for Claremont Mckenna College
Santa Clara University landed the #10 spot for neurosciences this year. Santa Clara University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Santa Clara. Santa Clara University graduates 88% of students within six years. Santa Clara University awarded about 23 neurosciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, neurosciences degree recipients from Santa Clara University generally make around $79,380. Typical student debt for the program is $20,000.
See the full neurosciences program report for Santa Clara University
Scripps College came in at #11 for neurosciences this year. Set in the suburb of Claremont, Scripps College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Scripps College graduates 82% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 neurosciences students who graduated with this degree at Scripps College in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in neurosciences from Scripps College
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #12 position for neurosciences this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 35 neurosciences degrees in the most recent data year. Neurosciences graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $25,034 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500.
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University Of San Diego earned the #13 position for neurosciences this year. Located in the city of San Diego, University Of San Diego is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 70 neurosciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their neurosciences degree from University Of San Diego earn around $33,641 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in neurosciences from University Of San Diego
University Of California Riverside ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best neurosciences schools. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 118 neurosciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Riverside in the most recent year. Graduates of the neurosciences program make about $19,286 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,803 to complete this degree.
See the full neurosciences program report for University Of California Riverside
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 21 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.