Neurobiology and Neurosciences at Union College

Union College's neuroscience graduates earn nearly $45,000 in their first year—placing them in the 95th percentile nationally and 80th percentile among New York programs. That's 42% above the national median for this major and trails only Fordham and Vassar among NY schools. While the $25,000 median debt sits slightly above state norms, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.56 means graduates owe about seven months of salary, which is manageable territory. Earnings climb to nearly $58,000 by year four, showing solid growth.

The caveat here is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates reported, so a handful of outliers could skew these numbers significantly. That said, Union's selective admissions (44% acceptance rate, 1410 SAT average) and strong liberal arts foundation suggest the high earnings reflect genuine preparation rather than statistical noise. These graduates are likely competing successfully for research positions, healthcare roles, or graduate school spots that value both scientific rigor and broader analytical skills.

For families comfortable with moderate debt and willing to accept some statistical uncertainty, this program appears to deliver strong outcomes. The earnings trajectory suggests graduates are building valuable careers, not just finding temporary positions. Just recognize you're making this call with limited data points.