What can you do with a Neuroscience degree from Boston University?

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:

Average score: 63%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

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

× Chart

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:

View a random Neuroscience graduate from Boston University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 22%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from Boston University with a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Research Technician
Morsani College of Medicine
Jul 2020 - Jun 2021
The position of Research Technician at Morsani College of Medicine is directly relevant to a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience, as it involves applying neurological research skills and knowledge on a daily basis.

Army Officer
US Army
Jul 2021 - Present
The role of Army Officer does not require any specific knowledge or skills in Neuroscience and focuses instead on military leadership and tactical operations, making it unrelated to the degree.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Doctor of Medicine - MD
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
2021 - 2025
ABOUT

I 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.

What jobs can you get with a Neuroscience degree from Boston University?

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):

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

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.

How hard is a Neuroscience degree from Boston University?

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.

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 from Boston University tend to make good money?

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!

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 is across all Neuroscience graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Boston University). 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