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Biological Sciences · Neuroscience Rank #47 of 97

Neuroscienceat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Graduates earn $23,468/yr in their first year — about 28.0% below the national Neuroscience average. Base-case 10-year earnings $757K; scenarios range from $658K to $783K depending on AI disruption.

Ann Arbor, MI Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
31 AT RISK
32
Optimistic
31
Pessimistic
Earnings
$23,468
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$757K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
53% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Michigan

Your Neurobiology and Neurosciences degree from UMich is a strong launchpad, particularly given the university's research powerhouse status and connections to a major medical center. The initial earnings figures reflect that many graduates pursue advanced degrees—MDs, PhDs—before entering their highest-earning years. You're likely looking at roles in research labs, healthcare support, or clinical trials immediately after graduation, often at UMich itself, nearby biotech firms, or other academic institutions, which are stepping stones to more lucrative positions. These foundational roles build critical skills for future specialization. Given the high AI risk in certain biological science roles, actively pursuing internships and research opportunities that deepen your quantitative skills or lead directly to a specific advanced degree path will be crucial for your long-term career trajectory.

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
$658K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple9.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$757K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score31/100
Earnings Multiple11.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$783K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score32/100
Earnings Multiple11.4x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Michigan'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 University of Michigan 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 University of Michigan

Other top programs at University of Michigan

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

FAQ

Frequently asked about Neuroscience at University of Michigan

What does a 31/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Neuroscience at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor?

At 31/100, 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 Michigan-Ann Arbor?

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 Michigan-Ann Arbor a good choice for Neuroscience despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.