First, some facts. Of the Neuroscience graduates from Boston University 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 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Neuroscience graduates from Boston University have a slightly lower 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.
Also, after graduating, 50% 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:
Relevance score: 22%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from Boston University with a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONResearch TechnicianMorsani College of Medicine Jul 2020 - Jun 2021 Army Officer US Army Jul 2021 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGDoctor of Medicine - MDUniformed Services University of the Health Sciences 2021 - 2025 ABOUTI am a medical student at the Uniformed Services University. Before becoming a medical student, I was a researcher studying optogenetics, behavioral neuroscience, and models of neuropsychiatric disease states such as PTSD. I am proficient in molecular and cellular biology techniques, including histology/IHC and microscopy. I also participated in CRISPR and proteomics research in the context of Toxoplasmosis at USF. I have a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from Boston University. I graduated Cum Laude with distinction in research honors. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the career paths of people who graduated with a Neuroscience degree from Boston University, it's clear that there is a mix of job relevance to their field of study. Many graduates have secured positions in research and development, especially in healthcare settings, which align closely with their background. Roles like Research Technologist, Clinical Research Coordinator, and various research positions at reputable hospitals or research institutes make up a significant portion of their jobs. These positions utilize their knowledge of neuroscience concepts and research methodologies, making them highly relevant and directly applicable to their studies.
However, not all paths taken by graduates reflect a strong connection to neuroscience. A number of alumni have ventured into roles that focus more on administration, community service, or unrelated positions in retail and food service. While there's some indirect application of neurology principles in jobs like Medical Assistant or Clinical Research Assistant, many graduates find themselves in positions that don't deeply engage with their neuroscience background. Overall, it seems like while there's a clear trend toward research-based roles connected to healthcare, a good chunk of graduates ends up in jobs that may not directly relate to neuroscience, showing that the degree can lead to a variety of career paths, some more relevant than others.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Neuroscience graduates (this is across all Neuroscience graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Boston University):
When you look at the career paths of Boston University graduates with a degree in Neuroscience, it’s pretty clear that many are finding their way into roles that are closely tied to research, healthcare, and academia. For instance, alumni from around 2011 to 2015 often started with positions like research assistants or coordinators, mainly in hospitals or research institutions, and then steadily moved up to roles like senior scientist or postdoctoral researchers within a few years. This shows that there’s a solid progression within the field, where people are gaining valuable experience that eventually leads them to higher-level positions. It's great to see that multiple graduates ended up at reputable institutions, which suggests that if you pursue a Neuroscience degree here, you’re likely to land a good first job and then have opportunities to advance.
However, not every graduate has taken a straight path into Neuroscience-related careers. Some have drifted into roles that are less directly related, such as retail or community service, particularly in the early years after graduation. For example, graduates from around 2014 to 2016 seem to have more diverse job experiences, with some working in various non-science sectors before finding their way back to the field. Fast forward five to ten years, and while many are developing impressive and relevant careers in research and clinical settings, others have found themselves in roles that don't fully utilize their neuroscience background. Overall, it appears many BU Neuroscience grads do succeed in related fields, but there are definitely some who explore other paths before settling into something more aligned with their studies.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience at Boston University can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your background and interest in the subject. The coursework often dives deep into complex topics like biology, chemistry, and psychology, so if you're passionate about those areas and enjoy science, you might find it more manageable. That said, the workload can be intense with labs, readings, and exams that require a lot of critical thinking and analytical skills. It's definitely on the tougher side compared to some other majors, but if you're dedicated and willing to put in the effort, it's totally doable! Just be ready for some late nights of studying and grasping some intricate concepts along the way.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Neuroscience.
Alright, so when you look at these Boston University neuroscience grads, it seems like some are doing pretty well while others are still finding their way. For instance, the ones who moved into positions like Senior Scientist at Abbott or Technical QA Analyst at Riot Games are likely raking in decent salaries, especially compared to entry-level jobs. However, there are also folks who started with roles like retail associate or Americorps member, which don’t pay much at all. Overall, it seems like if they stuck with the neuroscience path and moved up in their careers, there’s a good chance they’re making good money, but not everyone hit that jackpot right away. It's kind of a mixed bag!
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 is across all Neuroscience graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Boston University). This may or may not be useful:
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 |