Neurobiology and Neurosciences at Central Michigan University

Central Michigan's neuroscience program shows a remarkable earnings trajectory that compensates for a rocky start. That $28,220 first-year salary sits below both national and state benchmarks, but graduates nearly double their income within four years—reaching $57,802. This 105% growth rate suggests many students pursue graduate education or clinical positions that take time to secure but eventually pay off substantially.

The $27,000 debt burden is relatively modest, ranking in the 5th percentile nationally (meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with more debt). While the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.96 looks concerning at first glance, it reflects only that challenging first year. By year four, the debt represents less than half of annual earnings—a much healthier picture. Among Michigan's neuroscience programs, this ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings, performing on par with Michigan State despite CMU's lower admission selectivity.

The key question is whether your student can weather that lean first year, often filled with research assistant positions or gap-year work before medical school or graduate programs. If they're planning advanced degrees anyway—common for neuroscience majors—the initial earnings matter less than the manageable debt they'll carry into those programs. For families counting on immediate post-graduation income, however, the delayed payoff could strain finances.