Top Universities in Neurosciences (US)

The National Research Council (NRC) Rankings of Top Universities in Neurosciences, published in 2007, reflect the academic prestige and research excellence of institutions in the field of neuroscience in the United States. The rankings consider various factors such as faculty quality, research output, and academic reputation, giving a comprehensive overview of which universities lead in advancing the study of the brain and nervous system.

At the top of the list, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) leads with a score of 4.82, underscoring its dominant position in the neuroscience field. UCSD is renowned for its cutting-edge research in various neuroscience disciplines, including neurobiology, neurochemistry, and cognitive science. Its proximity to a vibrant scientific community and its strong collaborations with research institutes enhance its standing as a leading neuroscience hub.

Following UCSD, Yale University ranks second with a score of 4.76. Yale's neuroscience program is deeply integrated with its medical school and offers a highly interdisciplinary approach, combining elements of psychology, biology, and molecular neuroscience. Yale is known for producing significant contributions in both fundamental and clinical neuroscience research.

Harvard University, with a score of 4.73, takes the third spot in the rankings. Harvard has a long history of excellence in neuroscience research, supported by its vast array of affiliated research centers and institutes. Harvard's neuroscience community benefits from its extensive resources, offering students and faculty unparalleled opportunities for collaboration and discovery in areas such as neurogenetics and neurophysiology.

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) follows closely behind in fourth place with a score of 4.66. UCSF has established itself as a leader in clinical and experimental neuroscience, particularly in areas related to neurodegenerative diseases and brain imaging. Its partnerships with other medical and scientific institutions contribute to its reputation for groundbreaking research.

Stanford University ranks fifth with a score of 4.64. Known for its innovative approach to neuroscience, Stanford excels in areas such as neural engineering, cognitive neuroscience, and brain-machine interfaces. Stanford’s strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research fosters new insights into the brain’s function and disorders.

Columbia University comes in sixth place with a score of 4.58. Columbia’s neuroscience program is widely recognized for its focus on understanding brain function, cognition, and neurological diseases. The university is home to numerous research institutes and has a robust partnership with the New York-Presbyterian Hospital, one of the top medical centers in the country.

Johns Hopkins University is ranked seventh with a score of 4.47. Johns Hopkins is famous for its comprehensive approach to neuroscience, with its research spanning from molecular and cellular neuroscience to systems and clinical neuroscience. The university’s Bloomberg School of Public Health also integrates neuroscience with public health initiatives, particularly in mental health and neurological disorders.

Finally, Washington University in St. Louis rounds out the top eight with a score of 4.43. Washington University has an outstanding neuroscience program, with a focus on understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms of neurological disorders. The university is also highly regarded for its state-of-the-art research facilities and collaboration with local medical centers.

These universities are recognized for their outstanding contributions to the field of neuroscience, driving forward both basic and clinical research. Their faculty, resources, and collaborative environments continue to shape the future of neuroscience education and research.

NRC Rankings of Top Universities in Neurosciences:

1 Cal San Diego 4.82
2 Yale 4.76
3 Harvard 4.73
4 Cal San Francisco 4.66
5 Stanford 4.64
6 Columbia 4.58
7 Johns Hopkins 4.47
8 Washington (St. Louis) 4.43
9 Cal Berkeley 4.32
10 Penn 4.30
11 Cal Tech 4.30
12 Washington 4.28
13 Rockefeller 4.23
14 MIT 4.21
15 UCLA 3.91
16 Duke 3.83
17 Case Western 3.83
18 Michigan 3.79
19 Brandeis 3.75
20 Baylor College of Medicine 3.75
21 Cal Irvine 3.72
22 Chicago 3.63
23 Northwestern 3.60
24 Cornell 3.59
25 Wisconsin 3.58
26 North Carolina 3.57
27 Albert Einstein College of Med 3.57
28 SUNY Stony Brook 3.54
29 Vanderbilt 3.49
30 Virginia 3.46
31 Oregon 3.46
32 Iowa 3.46
33 Emory 3.45
34 Minnesota 3.43
35 Mayo Graduate School 3.42
36 Texas Southwestern Med Ctr 3.41
37 Southern Cal 3.41
38 Colorado 3.40
39 Pittsburgh 3.36
40 Illinois 3.33
41 Texas Medical Galveston 3.31
42 Rochester 3.30
43 Colorado State 3.25
44 Rutgers 3.22
45 Arizona 3.20
46 Connecticut 3.14
47 Texas 3.08
48 Georgetown 3.08
49 Texas Health Sci Ctr Houston 3.05
50 Medical College of Pensylvania 3.04
51 Tennessee Memphis 3.03
52 Brown 2.98
53 Ohio State 2.97
54 NYU 2.96
55 Rutgers Newark 2.93
56 Tufts 2.88
57 Florida 2.84
58 Massachusetts 2.80
59 Wake Forest 2.79
60 Florida State 2.70
61 Michigan State 2.64
62 Hahnemann 2.64
63 SUNY Buffalo 2.51
64 Penn State 2.50
65 Wayne State 2.47
66 SUNY Health Brooklyn 2.47
67 CUNY 2.43
68 Syracuse 2.38
69 Purdue 2.31
70 Uniformed Services U of Hlth Sci 2.23
71 SUNY Albany 2.21
72 Miami 2.14
73 New Mexico 2.08
74 Albany Medical College 2.08
75 Kent State 2.03
76 George Washington 2.00
77 Oregon State 1.96
78 Oklahoma 1.93
79 Missouri 1.92
80 Medical College of Ohio 1.86
81 Ohio 1.77
82 Louisville 1.69
83 LSU 1.47
84 Georgia State 1.45
85 Wyoming 1.42
86 East Carolina Medicine 1.21
87 Loma Linda 1.17
88 Montana State 1.04
89 Kansas State 0.91
90 Cal Santa Cruz 0.89
91 Cal Santa Barbara 0.84
92 Texas Woman’s 0.72
93 Clark 0.72
94 Boston Univ 0.67
95 Idaho 0.59
96 Puerto Rico Rio Piedras 0.58
97 Northern Arizona 0.48
98 Miami 0.39

Source: National Research Council 2007