Neuroscience at Barnard College

New York, NY · Private nonprofit · Bachelor's Degree · Neurobiology and Neurosciences
21 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case)
22
Optimistic
21
Base Case
22
Pessimistic
Earnings $24,569/yr (-24% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (37,400 openings/yr)
ROI 1.5x earnings multiple
Ranked #80 of 97 Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs

Program Analysis

Your Barnard Neurobiology degree offers an elite liberal arts education within one of the world's major scientific hubs, leveraging Columbia University's vast research ecosystem. The initial earnings trajectory often reflects graduates pursuing advanced degrees – medical school, PhD programs, or other specialized training – where initial compensation is lower or non-existent during studies. Many early career roles involve research support in academic labs or non-profit settings in NYC's competitive biomedical landscape before transitioning to higher-paying positions as scientists, physicians, or managers. The noted AI risk primarily targets roles involving data analysis, diagnostics, and repetitive lab tasks. To mitigate this, actively seek internships that emphasize critical thinking, complex experimental design, and interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly within clinical research or novel biotech startups. Your network and access to cutting-edge research through the Columbia affiliation are invaluable assets; leverage these to gain practical experience and refine your career path early.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Neuroscience graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $381K $391K $389K
Earnings Multiple 1.4x 1.5x 1.5x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 22 21 22

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition (Sticker)
$264,984
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$157,012
41% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,491
8.5 months of Year 1 earnings

About Barnard College

With just 8% of applicants admitted, Barnard College ranks among the nation's most selective schools, a compact campus enrolling 3,219 students in New York, NY. After financial aid, the average student pays $157,012 over four years — 41% below sticker price.

See all programs and financial aid at Barnard College →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590/yr
Biological scientists, all other $93,330/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Neuroscience at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Barnard College's Neuroscience program score?
This program scores 21/100 — on the lower end for Neuroscience. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Neuroscience to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Neuroscience careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 48% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Neuroscience earnings lower at Barnard College?
Lower starting pay at Barnard College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →