Neurobiology and Neurosciences at Barnard College

That $24,569 first-year salary from one of the country's most selective colleges demands explanation—and the small sample size (under 30 graduates) is likely the answer. These numbers probably capture students heading to graduate school, gap years, or unpaid research positions rather than reflecting true career outcomes for Barnard neuroscience grads. With an 8% admission rate and 1500 average SAT, these students have options that don't show up in first-year earnings data.

The concerning part isn't just the low starting salary—it's that this program ranks in the bottom quarter even among New York neuroscience programs, where the median is $32,076. Top NY programs like Fordham ($47,985) and Union College ($44,927) place their neuroscience grads nearly twice as high. The $17,491 debt load is manageable, but only if these earnings represent a temporary dip before graduate school rather than a pattern.

If your child is committed to a PhD or medical school track, these numbers may not matter—first-year earnings are a poor proxy for neuroscience careers that require advanced degrees. But if there's any chance they'll enter the workforce directly after graduation, you're looking at a program that underperforms its peers significantly. Barnard's prestige doesn't translate to strong bachelor's-level neuroscience outcomes in this data. Before committing, get clarity on graduate school placement rates and whether most students leave with just a bachelor's degree.