Neurobiology and Neurosciences at University of Scranton

The $25,000 first-year salary for University of Scranton's neurobiology program trails nearly every comparable program in Pennsylvania, including state schools that cost far less. Even accounting for the small sample size (under 30 graduates), earning $5,000 below the state median and $6,600 below the national average represents a substantial gap. Temple University graduates earn 24% more right out of the gate, and even Pitt—a more affordable public option—delivers 11% higher starting salaries.

The debt picture offers the only silver lining here: $27,000 sits at the 5th percentile nationally for borrowing, meaning few neurobiology programs saddle students with less debt. Still, that relatively modest debt load nearly equals the entire first-year salary, a concerning ratio that suggests either many graduates aren't finding full-time work in their field immediately, or they're accepting positions well below typical starting points for science majors. For context, University of Pennsylvania neurobiology graduates—admittedly from a more selective program—earn nearly 60% more in year one.

For families paying private school tuition, this program's outcomes don't justify the investment when Pennsylvania offers multiple alternatives with significantly stronger earnings trajectories. The small sample does mean a few outlier experiences could skew these numbers, but absent evidence of improvement, treat this as a yellow flag requiring careful investigation into actual career placements.