What can you do with a Neuroscience degree?

First, some facts. Of the Neuroscience graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:

These are estimates based on AI analysis of 764 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Neuroscience graduates have a slightly higher likelihood (+4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

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Also, after graduating, 54% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Neuroscience graduate.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Neuroscience degree?
• What do Neuroscience graduates do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Neuroscience degree? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Neuroscience degree?
• What are the best colleges for Neuroscience?

View a random Neuroscience graduate and our analysis:

Relevance score: 65% We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2015 from University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts with a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Research Assistant The University of Illinois at Chicago Telemedicine Clinic Dec 2015 - Jul 2019 The role of Research Assistant at the Telemedicine Clinic may involve some understanding of neuroscience principles, but it primarily focuses on research methodologies rather than directly applying neuroscience knowledge daily. Pharmacy Student Technician Northwestern Memorial Hospital May 2016 - Jul 2019 The Pharmacy Student Technician position does not utilize neuroscience knowledge and skills as core qualifications, instead requiring pharmacy-related competencies. Pharmacist Ann Arbor Pharmacy Jul 2019 - Present As a Pharmacist, the position likely involves understanding the neurological implications of medications and patient care, drawing on knowledge relevant to the individuals neuroscience background. Pharmacist Downtown Drugs Jan 2022 - Present The role of Pharmacist at Downtown Drugs similarly demands an application of pharmaceutical knowledge where understanding neuroscience-related drug therapy is relevant, thereby utilizing skills from the individual's degree. FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING Doctor of Pharmacy - PharmD The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy 2015 - 2019 ABOUT Compassionate and efficient pharmacist specializing in providing personalized care and building strong patient relationships with experience in both the retail and institutional setting.

What jobs can you get with a Neuroscience degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Research Assistant
• Clinical Research Coordinator
• Medical Assistant
• Resident Physician
• Research Technician
• Medical Scribe
• Graduate Research Assistant
• Intern
• Clinical Research Assistant
• Laboratory Technician

Analyzing the diverse career paths of individuals who graduated with a degree in Neuroscience reveals some intriguing trends. A significant theme that emerges from various jobs is the direct connection to healthcare and research fields. Many graduates have found their niche as Clinical Research Coordinators, Research Assistants, and Medical Assistants. These roles tend to capitalize on the specific knowledge of brain function and behavior acquired during their studies, demonstrating a clear relevance to the academic background in Neuroscience.

However, not all career choices align closely with their degree. Many graduates have ventured into positions in business, marketing, or even completely separate fields like retail and hospitality. For instance, roles such as Marketing Managers or Sales Associates do not generally require the specialized insights or knowledge gained from a Neuroscience degree. These paths often focus on interpersonal skills, organization, and general knowledge rather than the neuroscientific principles that many graduates spent years studying. Moreover, a notable number of individuals have taken on roles that seem only tangentially related, such as Educators or Administrative roles, where the connection to their neuroscientific education is minimal.

Despite the various career trajectories, there is a prevailing sentiment among those who pursued roles in healthcare and research that they are better utilizing their neuroscience education in a practical setting. This suggests that networking, continuing education, and seizing opportunities in relevant fields can significantly dictate the relevance of their employment to their undergraduate degrees. In conclusion, while many individuals with a Neuroscience background find fulfilling careers that directly apply their knowledge, others diverge into unrelated fields, highlighting the broad applicability of the skills and critical thinking honed during their studies.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Neuroscience graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Neuroscience graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When you look at the career paths of Neuroscience graduates from various universities, it becomes clear that their journeys are quite diverse, reflecting a wide spectrum of interests and opportunities within the field. At first glance, many of these individuals find themselves in jobs closely related to their field of study, especially in research, healthcare, and clinical roles. For instance, many graduates kick off their careers with positions like clinical research coordinators, medical assistants, or lab technicians – roles that certainly draw upon their neuroscience training.

However, as time passes, you start to see a mix of trajectories emerge. While some graduates continue to advance in neuroscience-related fields, taking on more specialized positions such as resident physicians or lab managers at prestigious institutions, others pivot entirely. It's not uncommon to see individuals explore avenues in business, education, or even unrelated fields like product management and marketing. For instance, you might see someone transitioning from a clinical role to a leadership position in a health technology company or a research assistant moving into a marketing role in pharmaceuticals.

In looking at trajectories five to ten years post-graduation, there’s definitely a sense of accomplishment for those who have stayed in the neuroscience realm, particularly those who have gone into healthcare positions; they tend to have stable careers in medicine and research. Conversely, those who diverted from the direct path of neuroscience often find themselves in roles that may seem unrelated at first glance but still benefit from their analytic and research skills gained during their education. For instance, some may become consultants or pursue graduate studies in business or law—showing that a neuroscience background is versatile enough to apply to various professional settings.

So, in conclusion, while neuroscience graduates often start their careers linked to their studies, over the years, many branch out into diverse and sometimes surprising roles. This showcases the adaptability of a neuroscience education and the myriad ways it can shape future career paths, both within and outside of traditional sciences and healthcare fields. If you're considering a degree in neuroscience, be prepared for a journey that may take you far beyond the lab or clinic!

How hard is a Neuroscience degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience can be pretty challenging, especially if you’re not super into subjects like biology, chemistry, or math. You’ll dive into complex topics like neural circuits and brain functions, and those lab courses can be intense. It’s definitely a step up from high school science classes, so if you’re ready to put in the work, you can totally handle it. Just be prepared for some late nights studying and maybe a few headaches over tough concepts! In general, it's considered a bit harder than many other undergrad programs, but if you're passionate about it, that can make the grind a lot more bearable.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Neuroscience.

Do Neuroscience graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the career paths of these neuroscience graduates, it’s clear that income potential varies quite a bit depending on the job and industry. For instance, graduates like the CEO of CareVerify Technologies and medical professionals like resident physicians can make a pretty decent salary. In fact, being a CEO and a medical doctor generally comes with a lucrative paycheck, especially after a few years in the field. Conversely, recent grads or those in support roles—like food servers or research assistants—might not enjoy the same financial benefits right out of the gate, with paychecks often on the lower end of the spectrum.

Overall, if you pursue leadership roles, medical careers, or specialized fields like pharmaceuticals and research, you’re likely to be in a much better financial position. However, those starting in entry-level positions or less specialized roles may find it challenging to climb the financial ladder quickly. So, while some of these grads are set for great financial futures, others have some work ahead of them to achieve similar stability. It’s a mixed bag, but a lot also depends on the paths they choose after graduation.

What buzzwords do Neuroscience graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Neuroscience. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Neuroscience?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Neuroscience (ordered by the average relevance score of their Neuroscience graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College	Score	Count
Duke University	79	16
The University of Texas at Austin	77	16
University of Pittsburgh	77	26
The Johns Hopkins University	76	19
University of California, Riverside	75	12
University of Michigan	74	32
University of California, Los Angeles	69	20
The Ohio State University	68	25
William & Mary	65	13
Smith College	65	10
Lafayette College	65	10
Boston University	63	14
Brigham Young University	62	15
Brown University	62	10
The University of Texas at Dallas	49	16
Temple University	47	11