Neuropharmacology: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Neuropharmacology is an advanced interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding how pharmacological agents influence the brain and central nervous system. This program explores the biological mechanisms underlying drug actions, their impact on neurological health and disease, and the development of targeted therapies to modulate behavior, perception, and motor function.
- Neuroanatomy: The structural organization of the nervous system, focusing on the physical layout of brain regions and neural pathways involved in cognitive and motor processes.
- Neurophysiology: The study of electrical and chemical processes within neurons and neural circuits that govern brain function and signal transmission.
- Behavioral Neuroscience: An integrative approach examining how brain activity directly influences behavior, emotion, learning, and decision-making.
- Neurobiochemistry: The investigation of biochemical processes within neural tissues, including neurotransmitter synthesis, metabolism, and receptor interactions.
- Neuropathology: The analysis of structural and functional changes in the nervous system associated with disease, injury, and degeneration.
- Mechanisms of Brain Function: In-depth exploration of cellular and molecular processes that regulate neural communication, plasticity, and homeostasis.
- Medicinal Chemistry: The design and synthesis of novel compounds with targeted effects on neurological systems, emphasizing structure-activity relationships.
- Pharmaceutics: The science of drug formulation, delivery systems, and bioavailability, ensuring effective and safe administration to the central nervous system.
- Drug Therapies and Clinical Applications: Examination of specific pharmacological treatments for neurological and psychiatric disorders, including mechanisms of action, efficacy, and adverse effects.
Neuropharmacology Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Neuropharmacology Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Neuropharmacology degrees, including Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary and Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 386,020 professionals.
National Average Salaries
Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
---|---|---|---|---|
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1071 | $105,620 | $51,760 - $239,200 | 229,720 | N/A |
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 19-1042 | $100,590 | $61,860 - $168,210 | 156,300 | $48.36 |
Neuropharmacology Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $48,090 in Hawaii to $136,330 in District of Columbia—a 183% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and Arkansas. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 386,020 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Neuropharmacology by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 4 institutions offering Neuropharmacology programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Neuropharmacology is found at Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU Metro), Metropolitan Campus (34 graduates), Creighton University (2 graduates), University of Rhode Island (URI) (2 graduates), and George Washington University (GW) (1 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 39 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU Metro) |
Master's
|
34 | Teaneck, New Jersey | Private | fdu.edu |
Creighton University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
George Washington University (GW) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Neuropharmacology programs
How much can I earn with a Neuropharmacology degree?
Salaries for Neuropharmacology graduates vary by role and location. Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median of $105,620 annually, while Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists earn around $100,590. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $136,330 compared to $48,090 in Hawaii. Approximately 386,020 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Neuropharmacology programs?
Currently 4 accredited institutions offer Neuropharmacology degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU Metro), Metropolitan Campus (34 graduates), Creighton University (2 graduates), and University of Rhode Island (URI) (2 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Neuropharmacology growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 20 in 2010 to 39 in 2023-24. This represents a 95% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Neuropharmacology degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists, . Related occupations employ approximately 386,020 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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