Best Neuroscience PhD Programs: Careers, and More [2024]

Are you looking for the best neuroscience PhD programs of 2024? You’re lucky because I have compiled the best neuroscience PhD programs list. Before we get into the individual programs, let’s first dive into what neuroscience is.

Neuroscience is a branch of biological science studying the brain, emphasizing its biochemistry, molecular biology, psychology, and anatomy to understand human and animal behavior. It offers an in-depth understanding of brain diseases and abnormalities so we can develop solutions using studies with neuroscientific models.

An expert neuroscientist can make significant contributions to society, and a PhD in neuroscience will equip you to pursue a prestigious career in the field. According to Salary Expert, the average annual salary of neuroscience PhD holders is $113,946. That number is expected to rise to $129,991 by 2028, making this one of the highest-paying PhDs.

Ready to find your dream PhD program in neuroscience? Let’s get started.

Best Neuroscience PhD Programs

Harvard University, Harvard Medical School

Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience (PiN)

The Neurobiology Department of Harvard Medical School is the first research department in the world to take an interdisciplinary, systemic approach to studying the human brain. This program is one of the more competitive PhDs in neuroscience and offers a wide range of electives in a flexible format. Students can easily balance their coursework and lab work with hybrid and online learning.

• Courses: Quantitative methods for biologists, rotations in neuroscience, and discipline of neuroscience.
• Duration: 3 years or more
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: Full funding
• Financial aid: Full tuition/stipend support, health insurance, childcare support, parental support, and travel allowance.
• Acceptance rate: 5%
• Location: Boston, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Brain and Cognitive Sciences PhD Program

MIT’s Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences claims to produce the world’s sharpest and most innovative brain scientists. This PhD program enables students to pursue cutting-edge research that seeks to push the boundaries of neuroscientific knowledge.

• Courses: Molecular & cellular neuroscience, computational cognitive science, and statistics for neuroscience research.
• Duration: 5 years plus
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: $29,875 per term
• Financial aid: Scholarships, loans, and health insurance.
• Acceptance rate: 7.3%
• Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts

Stanford University, School of Medicine

Neurosciences Ph.D. Program

Stanford is one of the leading research universities in the world. This PhD program is one of 14 “Biosciences Home Programs” offered by the institution’s School of Medicine. One of the best neuroscience PhD programs the USA provides, it enables students to design their post-graduate studies by working collaboratively with an extensive network of faculty and labs.

• Courses: Responsible conduct of neuroscience, neuroscience systems core, and neurogenetics core.
• Credits: 135 units
• Duration: 5 years
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: Refer tuition page
• Financial aid: Fellowships, grants, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and veteran benefits.
• Acceptance rate: 5.2%
• Location: Stanford, California

Princeton University, Graduate School

Ph.D. in Neuroscience

Princeton University is a globally acclaimed school with a long list of Nobel laureates and other honors. This one in our list of the best neuroscience PhD programs emphasizes hands-on experience, encouraging students to apply the concepts they learn in lectures in the lab.

• Courses: Cellular & circuits Neuroscience, computational neuroscience, and Statistics for Neuroscience.
• Duration: 5 years
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: $59,710 per year
• Financial aid: Fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, external funding, travel grants, veteran benefits, and loans.
• Acceptance rate: 5.6%
• Location: Princeton, New Jersey

Yale University, School of Medicine

Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program

Yale is another world-renowned university with several cultural centers to preserve the institution’s unique cultural identity. This interdepartmental PhD program is called a “department without walls” as it allows students to explore every aspect of neuroscience with the help of over 100 faculty members from more than twenty departments.

• Courses: Principles of neuroscience, foundations of systems neuroscience, and bioethics in neuroscience.
• Duration: Up to 7 years
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: $48,300 per year
• Financial aid: Fellowships, awards, research assistantships, loans, and travel funds.
• Acceptance rate: 6.5%
• Location: New Haven, Connecticut

The University of California San Francisco, Weill Institute for Neurosciences

Neuroscience Graduate Program

The University of California San Francisco is a big name committed to diversity and follows the JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) approach to promote a positive campus environment. This post-graduate program allows students to work collaboratively with faculty members across various departments who are well-known names in their respective fields.

• Courses: Cellular & molecular neuroscience, systems & behavioral neuroscience, and computational neuroscience.
• Duration: 4 – 6 years
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: $11,442 per year
• Financial aid: Fellowships, awards, grants, and teaching assistantships.
• Acceptance rate: 3.7%
• Location: San Francisco, California

Brown University

Neuroscience Graduate Program

Brown University is located in the culturally diverse city of Providence, Rhode Island. The program emphasizes intellectual freedom and has an “Open Curriculum” system at the undergraduate level, which confirms this. This PhD in neuroscience program involves various experimental approaches, including a Graduate Partnership Program (GPP) with NIH (National Institutes of Health).

• Courses: Advanced molecular & cellular neurobiology, advanced systems neuroscience, and neuroanatomy.
• Duration: 5 years plus
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: $8,207 per course
• Financial aid: Full funding, stipend, health insurance, grants, fellowships, and teaching assistantships.
• Acceptance rate: 7.7%
• Location: Providence, Rhode Island

Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine

Neuroscience Training Program

The Neuroscience Department at Johns Hopkins University was one of the country’s first academic centers for Neuroscience. Its PhD program is well-regarded, offering students ample opportunities for lab rotations, a wide selection of electives, and seminar series from eminent national and international scholars.

• Courses: Neuroscience cognition, quantitative methods for the brain sciences, and neuron models.
• Duration: 3 years plus
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: Full tuition, stipend, and benefits
• Financial aid: Fellowships, loans, scholarships, and grants.
• Acceptance rate: 11.1%
• Location: Baltimore, Maryland

California Institute of Technology, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering

Neurobiology Graduate Program

Caltech is a private institution dedicated to excellence in technological education and research. This Ph.D. program allows students to conduct advanced research in molecular mechanisms of nervous system development, the evolution of the brain and behavior in primates, neuroscience of brain disorders, and neuro-engineering.

• Courses: Tools of neurobiology, molecular, cellular, and developmental neurobiology, and circuits, systems, and behavioral biology.
• Credits: 54 units (6 quarter courses)
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: $56,364 per year
• Financial aid: Teaching assistantships, fellowships, loans, research assistantships, and full funding.
• Acceptance rate: 6.7%
• Location: Pasadena, California

The University of Chicago, Biological Sciences Division

PhD Program in Computational Neuroscience

The University of Chicago is a renowned institution that has pioneered neuroscience research by eminent scientists like K. C. Cole, Stephen Polyak, and Jack Cowan. The school’s PhD in Computational Neuroscience offers an in-depth understanding of how various neural components affect human and animal behavior.

• Courses: Cellular neurobiology, methods in computational neuroscience, and behavioral neuroscience.
• Duration: 5 years plus
• Delivery: On-campus
• Tuition: $19,035 per quarter
• Financial aid: Grants, fellowships, awards, stipends, and research assistantships.
• Acceptance rate: 7.3%
• Location: Chicago, Illinois

What Do I Need to Get a PhD in Neuroscience?

You’ll need an undergraduate degree in biological sciences or a related field. Some programs may also require a master’s in a relevant field; others may ask for GRE scores as part of the application process. You must complete coursework, research, and a dissertation paper throughout the program, meet teaching requirements and seminars, and pass qualifying examinations.

What to Consider When Choosing a Neuroscience PhD Program

Neuroscience is a highly specialized field that often involves interdisciplinary research. Therefore, looking for programs offering specializations in your areas of interest and with faculty members who are experts in these fields is essential. It’s also vital to consider applicable tuition, other fees, location, and whether the program offers the type of study you want (on-campus, online, or hybrid learning).

Once you decide on the best neuroscience PhD program for you, laying some groundwork is a good idea. This will help you create a more robust application and better prepare for the program. Read up on the latest neuroscience research and think about potential subjects for your dissertation. Build your sector network and start making connections that will help you with your studies and beyond.

Why Get a Doctorate in Neuroscience?

A doctorate in neuroscience can make you a valuable expert in one of the top branches of the biological sciences. You’ll have plenty of opportunities in this field to perform exciting, valuable, and innovative research.

This advanced degree will also qualify you for many well-paid roles, including:

• Medical Science Liaison ($149,911)
• Senior Clinical Research Associate ($114,764)
• Neuroscientist ($81,661)
• Research Scientist ($87,532)
• Program Director, Healthcare ($87,780)
• Assistant Professor, Postsecondary/Higher Education ($73,907)

PhD in Neuroscience: Key Facts

What is the Average Cost of a PhD in Neuroscience?

The cost of completing a Ph.D. in neuroscience varies depending on factors like the school, the program, and other expenses like accommodation. A reputable PhD in neuroscience program can range anywhere from $10K to $60K per year.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD in Neuroscience?

Getting a PhD in Neuroscience usually takes between 3 and 7 years.

What Skills Do You Gain from a PhD in Neuroscience?

A PhD in Neuroscience awards you a range of skills, most notably:

• The ability to develop testable neuroscientific hypotheses and conduct studies using experimental, statistical, and literature review methods.
• Laboratory skills related to researching behavioral Neuroscience concepts.
• Scientific written communication skills.

PhD Neuroscience Program Statistics

• A PhD in neuroscience program can expect hundreds of applicants — the average is around 170.
• Most neuroscience PhD candidates have an undergraduate degree in psychology, biology, or neuroscience, though they may have backgrounds in other fields, even non-science ones such as business or humanities.
• Most schools only accept a few neuroscience PhD candidates a year based on stringent criteria. For example, The University of Texas at Dallas accepts an average of 10-20 students per year.

Key Takeaways

With intake numbers for PhDs in neuroscience programs being relatively small, it’s essential to start preparing early to assemble the most robust application possible. Once you get accepted into your dream program, the future will be bright, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimating a 10% growth in jobs for medical scientists between 2022 and 2032. From high salary prospects to the opportunity to make valuable contributions to society, you’re sure to have a rewarding career as a neuroscientist!

If you’re deciding between neuroscience and psychology, check out our guides to the best Master’s in Psychology and the best online PhD in Psychology programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Competitive are Neuroscience Doctoral Programs?

Neuroscience PhD programs can be highly competitive. Even when there are hundreds of applicants, only 10 or so may be accepted each year by each program. Therefore, it’s essential to have a strong academic record and prepare a compelling application to be accepted into your dream program.

2. Do Neuroscientists Need a PhD?

This depends on the exact neuroscience role you want. Typically, you’ll need a PhD in neuroscience to work as a research scientist, senior research associate, or neuroscience professor at a post-secondary school. However, you may be eligible for entry-level neuroscience roles with an undergraduate or master’s degree.

3. Does Harvard Have a Neuroscience Major?

Yes, Harvard University offers one of the USA’s most reputable neuroscience doctorate programs.