Neurobiology and Neurosciences at Allegheny College

Allegheny College's neuroscience graduates start at $36,178—about $6,000 above the Pennsylvania median and $4,500 above the national average for this major. The program ranks 60th percentile in the state, placing it squarely in the middle tier behind Penn's $39,880 but ahead of programs at Pittsburgh and Scranton. More importantly, earnings grow by 24% over four years, suggesting graduates are gaining traction in their careers rather than plateauing early.

The debt picture is notably manageable: at $27,000, it matches both the state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.75 that allows for reasonable repayment. While neuroscience isn't typically a high-earning bachelor's degree (many graduates continue to graduate school), starting $6,000 above your state peers while carrying the same debt load represents solid positioning. The 24% earnings growth hints that graduates are finding pathways—whether into research positions, healthcare roles, or graduate programs—that justify the degree.

The significant caveat: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so one high-earning PhD student or one struggling graduate can skew these numbers considerably. Still, for families considering a liberal arts approach to neuroscience, Allegheny delivers competitive outcomes without the debt burden that would make graduate school financially prohibitive. If your child is serious about this field and willing to hustle for opportunities, the combination of reasonable debt and above-average early earnings creates workable options.