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# Best Neuroscience Programs in California (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Best Biological Sciences Colleges in California](/rankings/best-biological-sciences-colleges-in-california/)

This page ranks the 8 Neuroscience programs in California by the median earnings of Neuroscience graduates four years after completing, highest first. [University of Southern California](/school/university-of-southern-california/majors/) leads the list with median earnings of $89,203 for its graduates four years after completing.

Across the listed programs, the figures range from $89,203 to $24,035, with a median of $62,760. For 1 of the 8 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

Public institutions account for 6 of the 8 programs, or 75%, while 2 are private nonprofit. University of California-San Diego posts the lowest average net price on the page at $12,470.

University of California-San Diego ranks 1st on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

8 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA | $89,203 | $32,740 | $13,516 | 9.8% |
|  | [University of Southern California](/school/university-of-southern-california/majors/) reports [$89,203 in median earnings](/school/university-of-southern-california/outcomes/) for its Neuroscience graduates four years after completing, and carries an average net price of $32,740. |
| 2 | University of San Diego · San Diego, CA | $72,910 | $30,365 | $15,586 | 52.4% |
|  | Admitting 52% of applicants, [University of San Diego](/school/university-of-san-diego/majors/) shows [median federal debt of $25,000](/school/university-of-san-diego/cost/) among Neuroscience completers who borrowed. |
| 3 | University of California-Santa Cruz · Santa Cruz, CA | $69,027 | $17,890 | $8,717 | 65.8% |
|  | A public university in Santa Cruz, [University of California-Santa Cruz](/school/university-of-california-santa-cruz/majors/) [ranks 109th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-california-santa-cruz/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 4 | University of California-Davis · Davis, CA | $63,720 | $14,741 | $9,211 | 41.8% |
|  | [University of California-Davis](/school/university-of-california-davis/majors/) posts [median earnings of $63,720](/school/university-of-california-davis/outcomes/) for its Neuroscience graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $9,211 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 5 | University of California-San Diego · La Jolla, CA | $61,799 | $12,470 | $7,525 | 26.7% |
|  | A public university in La Jolla, [University of California-San Diego](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/majors/) reports [median federal debt of $19,000](/school/university-of-california-san-diego/cost/) among Neuroscience completers who borrowed and median earnings of $61,799 four years after completing. |
| 6 | University of California-Los Angeles · Los Angeles, CA | $55,404 | $12,548 | $5,579 | 9.0% |
|  | Ranked 22nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, [University of California-Los Angeles](/school/university-of-california-los-angeles/majors/) [admits 9% of applicants](/school/university-of-california-los-angeles/admissions/). |
| 7 | University of California-Riverside · Riverside, CA | $51,865 | $14,304 | $8,852 | 76.4% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 76%](/school/university-of-california-riverside/admissions/), [University of California-Riverside](/school/university-of-california-riverside/majors/) reports an average net price of $14,304 and a median of $51,865 for its Neuroscience graduates four years after completing. |
| 8 | University of California-Irvine · Irvine, CA | $24,035 | $14,251 | $8,123 | 28.6% |
|  | [University of California-Irvine](/school/university-of-california-irvine/majors/) [ranks 12th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/university-of-california-irvine/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and its Neuroscience graduates earn a median of $24,035 four years after completing. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Neuroscience graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in California appear. The figures cover federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after finishing. For 1 of the 8 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range from University of Southern California at $89,203 to the lowest reported figure of $24,035 spans $65,168, and the gap between University of Southern California and University of San Diego is $16,293.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Neuroscience Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-neuroscience-programs/)
-   [Best Colleges in California](/rankings/best-colleges-in-california/)
-   [Best Neuroscience Programs in Massachusetts](/rankings/best-neuroscience-programs-in-massachusetts/)
-   [Best Neuroscience Programs in Pennsylvania](/rankings/best-neuroscience-programs-in-pennsylvania/)
-   Neuroscience Programs in New York
-   [Best Biological Sciences Colleges in California](/rankings/best-biological-sciences-colleges-in-california/)
-   Biological Sciences Colleges in California for Social Mobility