Median Earnings (1yr)
$34,547
62nd percentile
Median Debt
$19,650
14% below national median

Analysis

UVM's neuroscience program costs less than most competitors but lags behind other Vermont options. While graduates carry $19,650 in debt—about 21% below the national median—their first-year earnings of $34,547 fall short of Vermont's state median of $39,566 for this program. That 40th percentile ranking among Vermont schools matters because most students attend in-state, where UVM can't match the outcomes at nearby Middlebury College ($44,585). Still, the 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio remains manageable, and graduates do see steady 17% income growth over four years.

The question is whether $34,547 represents a launching pad or a ceiling. Many neuroscience graduates pursue additional education—medical school, PhD programs, or master's degrees—which could explain why these numbers sit below Vermont's typical outcomes for this major. If your student plans graduate school, the relatively modest debt load becomes an advantage. If they're heading straight to work, though, they'll start $5,000 behind their state peers.

For families prioritizing affordability and planning for graduate education, UVM works. For those expecting strong immediate returns from a bachelor's degree alone, the state comparison reveals better options exist in Vermont—though they may come with higher sticker prices or tougher admissions.

Where University of Vermont Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all neurobiology and neurosciences bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How University of Vermont graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
University of Vermont$34,547$40,568+17%
University of Pennsylvania$39,880$85,126+113%
Vanderbilt University$25,830$78,554+204%
Brigham Young University$27,986$73,566+163%
Middlebury College$44,585$46,749+5%

Compare to Similar Programs in Vermont

Neurobiology and Neurosciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Vermont (5 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
University of VermontBurlington$18,890$34,547$40,568$19,6500.57
Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury$65,280$44,585$46,749$11,9000.27
National Median—$31,687—$22,9360.72

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with neurobiology and neurosciences graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

Bioinformatics Scientists

Conduct research using bioinformatics theory and methods in areas such as pharmaceuticals, medical technology, biotechnology, computational biology, proteomics, computer information science, biology and medical informatics. May design databases and develop algorithms for processing and analyzing genomic information, or other biological information.

Molecular and Cellular Biologists

Research and study cellular molecules and organelles to understand cell function and organization.

Geneticists

Research and study the inheritance of traits at the molecular, organism or population level. May evaluate or treat patients with genetic disorders.

Biologists

Research or study basic principles of plant and animal life, such as origin, relationship, development, anatomy, and functions.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Vermont, approximately 13% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 45 graduates with reported earnings and 67 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.