Neurobiology and Neurosciences at University of California-Los Angeles

UCLA's neurobiology program illustrates a common pattern for pre-med heavy majors: initial earnings that look modest but more than double within four years. That first-year figure of $30,501 reflects graduates pursuing additional education or research positions, while the jump to $61,875 by year four suggests many have moved into higher-paying healthcare or research roles. Among California's 15 neurobiology programs, this sits right at the state median initially but the trajectory matters more than the starting point.

The debt picture is notably favorable—$17,149 represents less than seven months of fourth-year earnings, well below both the national median ($22,936) and what most California programs saddle students with. For a UCLA degree at a 9% admission rate, that's exceptional value. The catch is that first year: if your child needs immediate income after graduation, they'll earn roughly what the typical neurobiology graduate makes anywhere, despite attending one of the country's most selective universities.

The real question is whether your child plans to continue to medical school, graduate programs, or research positions. If so, UCLA's combination of low debt and strong credential value makes sense. If they need to work immediately after graduation and won't pursue further training, programs like Pomona or USC show 30% higher initial earnings, though at what cost in debt isn't clear from this data alone.