Neuroscienceat University of California-Irvine
Graduates earn $21,818/yr in their first year — about 33.0% below the national Neuroscience average. Base-case 10-year earnings $376K; scenarios range from $378K to $365K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Irvine
The initial earnings for UCI's Neurobiology and Neurosciences program often reflect a common trajectory in highly specialized scientific fields: a significant proportion of graduates pursue advanced degrees immediately after their bachelor's. Many undergraduates are building foundations for medical school, PhD programs in neuroscience, or other health professional schools. This means their early post-graduation years are spent in further education or lower-paying entry-level research assistant roles within academic labs or biotech startups across the vibrant Southern California corridor, rather than high-earning positions.
The strong research focus at UCI prepares you exceptionally well for these rigorous paths. Understand that the listed high-earning career outcomes typically materialize after significant post-baccalaureate investment. To maximize your return, actively seek out research internships, network with faculty and local biotech companies, and clearly define your post-graduation education or career plan early on.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Irvine's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Neuroscience
How UC Irvine stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Irvine
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Irvine, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Neuroscience at UC Irvine
What does a 19/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Neuroscience at University of California-Irvine?
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 University of California-Irvine?
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 University of California-Irvine a good choice for Neuroscience despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If University of California-Irvine's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.