Neuroscience at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Neurobiology and Neurosciences
19 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
20
Optimistic
19
Base Case
18
Pessimistic
Earnings $21,138/yr (-35% vs median)
AI Risk High (48% exposed)
Job Market Large (37,400 openings/yr)
ROI 6.9x earnings multiple (2.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #87 of 97 Neurobiology and Neurosciences programs

Program Analysis

Studying Neurobiology and Neurosciences at UT-Knoxville provides a robust academic foundation, but many students find this undergraduate degree primarily prepares them for further education rather than immediate entry into the top-tier careers listed. The local Knoxville job market isn't a major biotech hub, meaning direct industry roles for bachelor's graduates might be less abundant or lower-paying than in established research clusters. You'll likely see many peers pursuing medical school, PhD programs, or entering research assistant positions before reaching those higher salary brackets. The high AI risk also suggests that foundational lab work might evolve, making advanced specialization crucial. To maximize your career prospects, aggressively pursue research internships throughout your degree and seriously consider a dual major or minor in computational biology or data science to complement your scientific expertise.

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 $360K $372K $375K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 6.7x 6.9x 7.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 2.8x 2.9x 2.9x
Probability of Field Employment 53% 48% 35%
DegreeOutlook Score 20 19 18

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,936
Out-of-state: $127,896 (2.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,436
-34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,500
10.5 months of Year 1 earnings

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

A 46% admission rate makes The University of Tennessee-Knoxville accessible to a wide range of qualified students, one of the larger campuses at 28,763 students in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

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

Other Majors at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 19/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Neuroscience at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
At 19/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Neuroscience programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Neuroscience at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville?
The 48% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is The University of Tennessee-Knoxville a good choice for Neuroscience despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →