Neurobiology and Neurosciences at Western Washington University

Western Washington University's neuroscience graduates earn $39,011 in their first year—roughly $11,000 more than the typical Washington neuroscience grad and placing this program in the 80th percentile statewide. That's a meaningful advantage, especially when you consider that even the University of Washington's neuroscience program shows lower first-year earnings. The $22,000 in median debt sits right at the national average for this field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio that should be manageable within 2-3 years.

The catch here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates provided this data, so these numbers could shift significantly year to year. Neuroscience is also a field where many graduates pursue additional education—medical school, PhD programs, or master's degrees—which means that first-year earnings may not capture the program's full career trajectory. If your child plans to enter the workforce immediately with a bachelor's degree, these earnings look solid for the Pacific Northwest. If grad school is the plan, focus more on research opportunities and faculty connections than these particular salary figures.

For families concerned about undergraduate debt load, the $22,000 figure is reasonable, and WWU's high admission rate means your student has a realistic shot at enrollment. Just remember that small cohorts can mean limited course sections and fewer networking connections within the major itself.