NEUROSCIENCE PROGRAMS AT 43 SMALL COLLEGES

vpeterpitts
2 days ago
4 min read

Are you debating between biology, psychology, chemistry, physics, computer science, medicine, mathematics, philosophy, linguistics, and engineering?

If so, try neuroscience. It’s not exactly new—it is “new-ish” (formalized as a major in the 1960’s and 70’s), but it is certainly gaining in popularity.

Enrollment in neuroscience at the undergraduate level has increased significantly (over 40%) in recent years. This popularity is driven by an increased interest in disorders of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. Neuroscientists study and conduct research on conditions like headaches/migraines, epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's/dementia, MS, and neuropathy. They also study developmental conditions such as autism. Neuroscience (as a college major) is now rapidly becoming the most popular undergraduate life science.

For most advanced, specialized, or research-focused careers in neuroscience (like becoming a research scientist, professor, or high-level research coordinator), a graduate degree (Master's or PhD) is necessary; a Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience usually only qualifies you for entry-level roles like research assistant, but it provides a great foundation for medical school or other health professions (e.g. PT, OT, Speech Pathology).

Some of the popular career goals for neuroscience majors include:

Researcher: A neuroscience researcher is a neuroscientist who conducts studies to test theories regarding the nervous system and diseases affecting it.

Neurologist: A neurologist is a medical doctor specializing in brain and nervous system diseases.

Neurosurgeon: Neurosurgeons specialize in surgical procedures of the brain and spinal cord.

Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who studies, diagnoses, and treats mental illnesses.

Clinical Neuroscientist: Clinical neuroscientists study brain functions as medical doctors or researchers with the ultimate goal of conducting research.

Biostatistician: A biostatistician applies mathematics and statistical analysis to answer questions about medicine or public health.

Pharmaceutical Sales: Pharmaceutical sales representatives work with a pharmaceutical company to help introduce and educate clinicians about emerging medications.

Speech Pathologist: Speech pathologists help patients with communication disorders.

Professor: Professors teach neuroscience at the undergraduate or graduate level.

According to College Raptor, the top ten colleges for the undergraduate study of neuroscience are:

Harvard (3% acceptance rate; $54K average cost for families with $110K+ income; Enrollment approximately 5,000 undergrads)

Notre Dame (12% acceptance rate; $48K average cost for families with $110K+ income; Enrollment approximately 9,000 undergrads)

Johns Hopkins (8% acceptance rate; $40K average cost for families with $110K+ income; Enrollment approximately 6,000 undergrads)

Emory (11% acceptance rate; $56K average cost for families with $110K+ income; Enrollment approximately 7,000 undergrads)

Northwestern (7% acceptance rate; $50K average cost for families with $110K+ income; Enrollment approximately 8,000 undergrads)

Tulane (15% acceptance rate; $60K average cost for families with $110K+ income; Enrollment approximately 8,000 undergrads)

Duke (7% acceptance rate; $56K average cost for families with $110K+ income; Enrollment approximately 7,000 undergrads)

Binghamton (38% acceptance rate; $48K average cost for families with $110K+ income; Enrollment approximately 15,000 undergrads)

Penn (6% acceptance rate; $58K average cost for families with $110K+ income; Enrollment approximately 12,000 undergrads)

Brown 5% 47 8 (5% acceptance rate; $47K average cost for families with $110K+ income; Enrollment approximately 8,000 undergrads)

As you can see, these are highly selective (11% average), pricey (average $52K for families earning more than $110K), and relatively large (8,500 average).

Because graduate school (which is expensive) is required for most careers in neuroscience, I suggest that students seriously consider some of the excellent small colleges that offer this program.

Save money.

Reduce the stress of dealing with highly competitive admissions processes.

Receive the individualized attention and research opportunities available at small colleges.

The following 43 colleges all have a full major in neuroscience or behavioral neuroscience. These colleges cost (after merit is awarded) an average of only $31K for families earning more than $110K per year. The range is $24K to $35K. Acceptance rates range from 47% to 91% (average 70%). Undergraduate enrollment ranges from 608 to 3,204 (average 1,637). Fifteen of these (*) even offer some full-tuition scholarships (usually by interview). These are not the only small colleges with this program, but they are the ones that really stood out to me when I was doing my research.

Hendrix College AR https://www.hendrix.edu/neuroscience/

Agnes Scott College GA https://www.agnesscott.edu/academics/majors-minors/neuroscience/index.html

Drake University IA https://www.drake.edu/psychology/majorsminorsconcentrations/neuroscience/

Luther College IA https://www.luther.edu/academics/neuroscience

Augustana College IL https://www.augustana.edu/academics/areas-of-study/neuroscience

Elmhurst University IL https://www.elmhurst.edu/academics/departments/biology/programs/major-in-neuroscience/

Illinois College IL https://www.ic.edu/neuroscience

Knox College IL https://www.knox.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/neuroscience

Monmouth College IL https://www.monmouthcollege.edu/academics/neuroscience/

DePauw University IN https://www.depauw.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/about-neuroscience/

Earlham College IN https://earlham.edu/academics/majors-minors-programs/neuroscience/

Franklin College IN https://franklincollege.edu/academics/what-to-study/psychology/neuroscience/