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Biological Sciences · Neuroscience Rank #10 of 97

Neuroscienceat Harvard University

Graduates earn $46,993/yr in their first year — about 45.0% above the national Neuroscience average. Base-case 10-year earnings $662K; scenarios range from $588K to $679K depending on AI disruption.

Cambridge, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
40 AVERAGE
41
Optimistic
36
Pessimistic
Earnings
$46,993
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.2x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$662K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
53% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Harvard University

Your experience in Harvard's Neurobiology program places you at the epicenter of cutting-edge research, deeply integrated into the thriving Boston/Cambridge biotech ecosystem. This unique environment provides unparalleled access to top-tier faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and a direct pipeline to leading pharmaceutical companies, innovative startups, and world-renowned academic medical centers right in your backyard. Your degree opens doors to highly specialized roles, often in research and development, where your advanced scientific training is highly valued. Many graduates pursue further education, propelling them into senior scientific or managerial positions. To truly leverage this opportunity, proactively seek out research lab positions early in your academic career and build robust connections within the local scientific community. Cultivating interdisciplinary skills, particularly in data science or computational methods, will be crucial for navigating the evolving landscape of this dynamic field.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$588K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score36/100
Earnings Multiple2.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$662K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score40/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$679K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple2.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Harvard University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Neuroscience graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
+8.7% 10-yr growth · 9,600 openings/yr
$100,590/yr
High
3
Biological scientists, all other
+1.2% 10-yr growth · 4,800 openings/yr
$93,330/yr
Moderate
4
Biological science teachers, postsecondary
+7.3% 10-yr growth · 5,400 openings/yr
$83,460/yr
Moderate
5
Biological technicians
+3.5% 10-yr growth · 9,100 openings/yr
$52,000/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Neuroscience

How Harvard University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MA · Private nonprofit
35
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
1.0x
ROI
Fordham University
NY · Private nonprofit
35
DW Score
$48K
1-yr earn
0.9x
ROI
Macalester College
MN · Private nonprofit
34
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
0.8x
ROI
Union College
NY · Private nonprofit
33
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
1.5x
ROI
Trinity College
CT · Private nonprofit
34
DW Score
$45K
1-yr earn
0.7x
ROI
Also at Harvard University

Other top programs at Harvard University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Harvard University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Neuroscience at Harvard University

How does Harvard University's Neuroscience program score?

This program scores 40/100 — 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.

How affordable is Neuroscience at Harvard University after financial aid?

Sticker price is $236,304, but the average net cost is $67,264 — a 72% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.