Compare 26 Neuroscience. programs in the Midwest. Average earnings: $40,311.
With top graduates earning $60,526, Neuroscience stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $20K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Indiana University-Bloomington's Neuroscience program leads with graduates earning $60,526, well above the $40,311 average across 26 Midwest programs. Central Michigan University follows at $57,802, while University of Minnesota-Twin Cities delivers $57,235—demonstrating that regional publics dominate this specialized field.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Indiana University-Bloomington graduates borrow $19,509 and face just a 7% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income.
Highest program earnings: $60,526
Strong outcomes with 80% acceptance
7.0% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
17.1% family burden | Manageable - payment 12-18% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $60,526 | 108 | $19,509 | Excellent | $32,850 | Challenging | |
| #2 | $57,802 | 67 | $27,000 | Good | $23,103 | Challenging | |
| #3 | $57,235 | 83 | $19,500 | Excellent | $25,729 | Challenging | |
| #4 | $55,508 | 217 | $23,250 | Good | $37,401 | High | |
| #5 | $55,298 | 69 | $16,704 | Excellent | $24,323 | Challenging | |
| #6 | $54,430 | 37 | $20,000 | Good | $17,205 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $54,275 | 188 | $19,500 | Good | $30,250 | Challenging | |
| #8 | $53,393 | 254 | $19,976 | Good | $25,868 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $50,218 | 103 | $21,250 | Good | $23,602 | Challenging | |
| #10 | Carthage CollegePrivate | $49,748 | 25 | $26,000 | Manageable | $42,940 | High |
| #11 | Macalester CollegePrivate | $45,450 | 27 | $23,000 | Manageable | $36,129 | High |
| #12 | Augustana CollegePrivate | $40,940 | 29 | $27,000 | Challenging | $37,219 | High |
| #13 | Coe CollegePrivate | $40,867 | 27 | $27,000 | Challenging | $30,674 | High |
| #14 | University Of ChicagoPrivate | $37,246 | 61 | $15,000 | Manageable | $33,297 | High |
| #15 | Northwestern UniversityPrivate | $35,334 | 136 | $15,000 | Manageable | $26,966 | High |
| #16 | $32,644 | 71 | $24,500 | High | $26,392 | High | |
| #17 | $31,687 | 227 | $20,484 | High | $28,364 | High | |
| #18 | $30,409 | 21 | $19,000 | High | $15,945 | High | |
| #19 | The College Of WoosterPrivate | $29,942 | 31 | $26,500 | High | $42,874 | High |
| #20 | Oberlin CollegePrivate | $27,750 | 28 | $26,000 | High | $45,976 | High |
| #21 | North Central CollegePrivate | $26,908 | 23 | $24,500 | High | $30,000 | High |
| #22 | Loyola University ChicagoPrivate | $26,251 | 85 | $24,157 | High | $54,045 | High |
| #23 | $25,194 | 32 | $19,500 | High | $29,448 | High | |
| #24 | University Of Notre DamePrivate | $24,615 | 107 | $19,000 | High | $40,731 | High |
| #25 | Saint Louis UniversityPrivate | $22,459 | 42 | $25,000 | High | $34,177 | High |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
