Best Universities for Neuroscience in the World

Updated: February 29, 2024

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the World ranked based on their research performance in Neuroscience. A graph of 246M citations received by 8.23M academic papers made by 5,102 universities in the World was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Harvard University

United States | Massachusetts

For Neuroscience

#1 in North America

#1 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,491

2. University College London

United Kingdom | England

For Neuroscience

#1 in Europe

#1 in the United Kingdom

Enrollment: 42,000
Founded: 1826

3. Johns Hopkins University

United States | Maryland

For Neuroscience

#2 in North America

#2 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $24,034

4. Stanford University

United States | California

For Neuroscience

#3 in North America

#3 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,279

5. Yale University

United States | Connecticut

For Neuroscience

#4 in North America

#4 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,647

6. University of Toronto

Canada | Ontario

For Neuroscience

#5 in North America

#1 in Canada

Enrollment: 27,651
Founded: 1827

7. University of California - San Francisco

United States | California

For Neuroscience

#6 in North America

#5 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,140
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

8. University of Pennsylvania

United States | Pennsylvania

For Neuroscience

#7 in North America

#6 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,123

9. Columbia University

United States | New York State

For Neuroscience

#8 in North America

#7 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,058

10. University of California-San Diego

United States | California

For Neuroscience

#9 in North America

#8 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $20,782
Enrollment: 42,006

11. University of California - Los Angeles

United States | California

For Neuroscience

#10 in North America

#9 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 57%
Average Aid: $21,766
Enrollment: 46,430

12. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

United States | Michigan

For Neuroscience

#11 in North America

#10 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 74%

13. University of Washington - Seattle

United States | Washington

For Neuroscience

#12 in North America

#11 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 48%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $14,731
Enrollment: 52,319

14. University of Pittsburgh

United States | Pennsylvania

For Neuroscience

#13 in North America

#12 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

15. University of Oxford

United Kingdom | England

For Neuroscience

#2 in Europe

#2 in the United Kingdom

Acceptance Rate: 22%
Founded: 1096

16. McGill University

Canada | Quebec State

For Neuroscience

#14 in North America

#2 in Canada

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Enrollment: 37,888
Founded: 1821

17. Washington University in St Louis

United States | Missouri

For Neuroscience

#15 in North America

#13 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,432

18. University of Cambridge

United Kingdom | England

For Neuroscience

#3 in Europe

#3 in the United Kingdom

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Founded: 1209

19. Karolinska Institute

Sweden | Stockholm

For Neuroscience

#4 in Europe

#1 in Sweden

Enrollment: 8,070
Founded: 1861

20. New York University

United States | New York State

For Neuroscience

#16 in North America

#14 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $29,499

21. Cornell University

United States | New York State

For Neuroscience

#17 in North America

#15 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,060

22. University of Wisconsin - Madison

United States | Wisconsin

For Neuroscience

#18 in North America

#16 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 58%

23. University of British Columbia

Canada | British Columbia

For Neuroscience

#19 in North America

#3 in Canada

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Enrollment: 20,893
Founded: 1908

24. Emory University

United States | Georgia

For Neuroscience

#20 in North America

#17 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1490
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $26,680

25. Northwestern University

United States | Illinois

For Neuroscience

#21 in North America

#18 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,095

26. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

United States | Massachusetts

For Neuroscience

#22 in North America

#19 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 36
Net Price: $20,232

27. King's College London

United Kingdom | England

For Neuroscience

#5 in Europe

#4 in the United Kingdom

Founded: 1829

28. University of California - Berkeley

United States | California

For Neuroscience

#23 in North America

#20 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $21,669
Enrollment: 45,307

29. University of California - Irvine

United States | California

For Neuroscience

#24 in North America

#21 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $17,411
Enrollment: 35,937

30. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

United States | Minnesota

For Neuroscience

#25 in North America

#22 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 82%

31. University of Melbourne

Australia | Melbourne

For Neuroscience

#1 in Australia

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Enrollment: 49,000
Founded: 1853

32. Boston University

United States | Massachusetts

For Neuroscience

#26 in North America

#23 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1425
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,829

33. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

United States | North Carolina

For Neuroscience

#27 in North America

#24 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 59%

34. Heidelberg University - Germany

Germany | Baden-Wurttemberg

For Neuroscience

#6 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Enrollment: 28,413
Male:Female: 45:55
Founded: 1386

35. University of Southern California

United States | California

For Neuroscience

#28 in North America

#25 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $36,808

36. University of Iowa

United States | Iowa State

For Neuroscience

#29 in North America

#26 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

37. University of Tokyo

For Neuroscience

#1 in Asia

#1 in Japan

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Enrollment: 28,218
Founded: 1877

38. Duke University

United States | North Carolina

For Neuroscience

#30 in North America

#27 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,694

39. Baylor College of Medicine

United States | Texas

For Neuroscience

#31 in North America

#28 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,610
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 1900

40. University of Florida

United States | Florida

For Neuroscience

#32 in North America

#29 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 23%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

41. Pierre and Marie Curie University

France | Ile-de-France

For Neuroscience

#7 in Europe

#1 in France

Acceptance Rate: 20%
Enrollment: 35,114
Founded: 1150

42. University of Chicago

United States | Illinois

For Neuroscience

#33 in North America

#30 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $36,991

43. University of California - Davis

United States | California

For Neuroscience

#34 in North America

#31 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $20,548
Enrollment: 39,679

44. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

United States | New Jersey

For Neuroscience

#35 in North America

#32 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 70%

45. University of Sydney

Australia | Sydney

For Neuroscience

#2 in Australia

Enrollment: 63,602
Founded: 1850

46. Case Western Reserve University

United States | Ohio

For Neuroscience

#36 in North America

#33 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $38,279

47. Ohio State University

United States | Ohio

For Neuroscience

#37 in North America

#34 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

48. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

United States | Texas

For Neuroscience

#38 in North America

#35 in the United States

Enrollment: 2,354
Male:Female: 45:55
Founded: 1943

49. Vanderbilt University

United States | Tennessee

For Neuroscience

#39 in North America

#36 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,606

50. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

United States | Illinois

For Neuroscience

#40 in North America

#37 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

51. Kyoto University

For Neuroscience

#2 in Asia

#2 in Japan

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Enrollment: 22,455
Male:Female: 76:24
Founded: 1897

52. Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

United States | New York State

For Neuroscience

#41 in North America

#38 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 1,253
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 1963

53. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

United States | Minnesota

For Neuroscience

#42 in North America

#39 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 64%
Net Price: $11,830
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $2,182

54. Radboud University

Netherlands | Nijmegen

For Neuroscience

#8 in Europe

#1 in the Netherlands

Founded: 1923

55. University of Zurich

Switzerland | Zurich

For Neuroscience

#9 in Europe

#1 in Switzerland

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Enrollment: 25,732

56. Oregon Health & Science University

United States | Oregon

For Neuroscience

#43 in North America

#40 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Enrollment: 2,870
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1887

57. University of Montreal

Canada | Quebec State

For Neuroscience

#44 in North America

#4 in Canada

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Enrollment: 66,972
Founded: 1878

58. Lund University

For Neuroscience

#10 in Europe

#2 in Sweden

Enrollment: 40,000
Founded: 1666

59. University of Amsterdam

Netherlands | Amsterdam

For Neuroscience

#11 in Europe

#2 in the Netherlands

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Enrollment: 41,000
Founded: 1632

60. University of Miami

United States | Florida

For Neuroscience

#45 in North America

#41 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $36,467

61. University of Edinburgh

United Kingdom | Scotland

For Neuroscience

#12 in Europe

#5 in the United Kingdom

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Founded: 1583

62. University of Munich

Germany | Bavaria

For Neuroscience

#13 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Enrollment: 52,418
Founded: 1472

63. University of Virginia

United States | Virginia

For Neuroscience

#46 in North America

#42 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 54%

64. Rockefeller University

United States | New York State

For Neuroscience

#47 in North America

#43 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 273
Male:Female: 54:46
Founded: 1901

65. University of New South Wales

Australia | Sydney

For Neuroscience

#3 in Australia

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Founded: 1949

66. Catholic University of Leuven

Belgium | Leuven

For Neuroscience

#14 in Europe

Enrollment: 62,693
Founded: 1425

67. University of Utah

United States | Utah

For Neuroscience

#48 in North America

#44 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

68. Pennsylvania State University

United States | Pennsylvania

For Neuroscience

#49 in North America

#45 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1300
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 68%

69. Western University

Canada | Ontario

For Neuroscience

#50 in North America

#5 in Canada

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Enrollment: 21,836
Founded: 1878

70. University of Manchester

United Kingdom | England

For Neuroscience

#15 in Europe

#6 in the United Kingdom

Founded: 1824

71. University of Arizona

United States | Arizona

For Neuroscience

#51 in North America

#46 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%

72. Tel Aviv University

Israel | Tel Aviv

For Neuroscience

#3 in Asia

#1 in Israel

Enrollment: 30,000
Founded: 1956

73. University of Queensland

Australia | St Lucia

For Neuroscience

#4 in Australia

Enrollment: 48,771
Founded: 1909

74. University of Calgary

Canada | Alberta

For Neuroscience

#52 in North America

#6 in Canada

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Enrollment: 33,000
Founded: 1966

75. Charite - Medical University of Berlin

Germany | Brandenburg

For Neuroscience

#16 in Europe

Enrollment: 8,877
Founded: 1710

76. University of Tubingen

Germany | Baden-Wurttemberg

For Neuroscience

#17 in Europe

Enrollment: 27,770
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1477

77. Osaka University

For Neuroscience

#4 in Asia

#3 in Japan

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 23,123
Male:Female: 68:32
Founded: 1931

78. University of Illinois at Chicago

United States | Illinois

For Neuroscience

#53 in North America

#47 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 81%

79. University of Sao Paulo

Brazil | Sao Paulo

For Neuroscience

#1 in Latin America

#1 in Brazil

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 97,964
Founded: 1827

80. University of Rochester

United States | New York State

For Neuroscience

#54 in North America

#48 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $39,775

81. University of Copenhagen

Denmark | Copenhagen

For Neuroscience

#18 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Founded: 1479

82. Imperial College London

United Kingdom | England

For Neuroscience

#19 in Europe

#7 in the United Kingdom

Enrollment: 17,565
Founded: 1907

83. University of Alabama at Birmingham

United States | Alabama

For Neuroscience

#55 in North America

#49 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1305
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 96%

84. University of Maryland, Baltimore

United States | Maryland

For Neuroscience

#56 in North America

#50 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,931
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1807

85. Brown University

United States | Rhode Island

For Neuroscience

#57 in North America

#51 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,723

86. Monash University

Australia | Clayton

For Neuroscience

#5 in Australia

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Enrollment: 78,000
Founded: 1958

87. University of Kentucky

United States | Kentucky

For Neuroscience

#58 in North America

#52 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

88. University of Texas at Austin

United States | Texas

For Neuroscience

#59 in North America

#53 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 31%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 89%

89. University of Milan

Italy | Lombardy

For Neuroscience

#20 in Europe

#1 in Italy

Acceptance Rate: 21%
Enrollment: 65,234
Founded: 1924

90. University of Alberta

Canada | Alberta

For Neuroscience

#60 in North America

#7 in Canada

Enrollment: 31,185
Founded: 1908

91. University of Groningen

Netherlands | Groningen

For Neuroscience

#21 in Europe

#3 in the Netherlands

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Enrollment: 34,000
Founded: 1614

92. University of Gothenburg

Sweden | Gothenburg

For Neuroscience

#22 in Europe

#3 in Sweden

Enrollment: 36,003
Founded: 1891

93. University of Bristol

United Kingdom | England

For Neuroscience

#23 in Europe

#8 in the United Kingdom

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Enrollment: 27,513
Founded: 1909

94. Princeton University

United States | New Jersey

For Neuroscience

#61 in North America

#54 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $18,698

95. University of Helsinki

Finland | Helsinki

For Neuroscience

#24 in Europe

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Enrollment: 31,312
Founded: 1640

96. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

United States | Indiana

For Neuroscience

#62 in North America

#55 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

97. California Institute of Technology

United States | California

For Neuroscience

#63 in North America

#56 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $20,755
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $59,192

98. Providence College

United States | Rhode Island

For Neuroscience

#64 in North America

#57 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 53%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 30
Net Price: $43,970

99. Sapienza University of Rome

For Neuroscience

#25 in Europe

#2 in Italy

Enrollment: 100,155
Founded: 1303

100. Wayne State University

United States | Michigan

For Neuroscience

#65 in North America

#58 in the United States

Acceptance Rate: 75%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 98%