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Biological Sciences · Neuroscience Rank #14 of 97

Neuroscienceat Northeastern University

Graduates earn $43,894/yr in their first year — about 35.0% above the national Neuroscience average. Base-case 10-year earnings $679K; scenarios range from $600K to $698K depending on AI disruption.

Boston, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
38 AT RISK
38
Optimistic
34
Pessimistic
Earnings
$43,894
1-year post-graduation
ROI
2.0x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$679K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
53% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Northeastern University

Northeastern's Neurobiology program thrives in Boston's unparalleled biotech and academic research ecosystem. Your experience here is profoundly shaped by the university's signature co-op program, which provides invaluable practical lab and clinical experience at leading institutions like Mass General, Harvard Medical School affiliates, or biopharma companies such as Biogen and Sanofi. This hands-on exposure gives you a significant edge, building a professional network and clarifying your career path well before graduation. While initial roles might involve research technician or lab support positions, the strong foundation prepares you for advanced study—many graduates pursue MDs, PhDs, or specialized master's degrees—which are often prerequisites for the higher-earning scientific and management roles. To maximize your return, strategically select co-ops that align with your long-term ambitions, whether that's clinical research, drug discovery, or academic science.

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
$600K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score34/100
Earnings Multiple2.4x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$679K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple2.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$698K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Northeastern 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 Northeastern 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
Top score
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
40
DW Score
$47K
1-yr earn
2.2x
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
Also at Northeastern University

Other top programs at Northeastern University

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

FAQ

Frequently asked about Neuroscience at Northeastern University

How does Northeastern University's Neuroscience program score?

This program scores 38/100 — 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 does Northeastern University rank so high for Neuroscience?

The #14 ranking out of 97 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.