M.S Neuroscience at Drexel University [DREXEL PHILLY], Philadelphia Fees, Entry Requirement & Application Deadline

Master of Science [M.S] [Neuroscience] From Drexel University

Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1891established year
24190enrollment
Private (Not for Profit)
Partner [2 Courses]
7.4/10

Master of Science [M.S] (Neuroscience)

2 years
Full Time
On Campus

Field of Study

Ranked #501 out of 700 by QS Global Ranking 2025

$43,140 /Yr

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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Aug 25, 2026

Drexel University Master of Science in Neuroscience is a two-year, full-time, on-campus Master of Science in Philadelphia for applicants with competitive grades, research interests and recommendation letters. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished; 2026-27 full-time tuition was US$17,523 per semester (INR 16.78 Lakhs), as a prior-cycle reference, and Fall is the published intake.

The programme trains students in experimental design, quantitative analysis and scientific communication across cellular, developmental, systems, computational and behavioral neuroscience. It suits Indian applicants with relevant life-science or quantitative preparation who want biomedical research, pharmaceutical, industry, government or doctoral pathways. The research focus means it is not a clinical licensing degree.

  • The catalogue lists 41 credits for the non-thesis route and 55 credits for the thesis route.
  • Research areas include spinal cord and brain injury, neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, neuroengineering and computational neuroscience.
  • Students who continue to Drexel’s PhD programme may be able to apply eligible master’s credits to doctoral study.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the Fall 2027 intake are Not Yet Open. International student deadline: 01 June 2027 (Expected).

Drexel’s current programme page publishes a Fall international deadline of June 1 and rolling review, but it does not name Fall 2027. Indian applicants should prepare transcript evaluation and English scores, then verify the portal cutoff.

Also Check: Drexel Neuroscience admission

Drexel Neuroscience Fees and Living Costs 2027

Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished after checking Drexel’s current fee surfaces, so the figures below are labelled 2026-27 prior-cycle references. Verify the target fee on the official College of Medicine fee page before accepting an offer.

Prior-cycle fee basis: Drexel published US$17,523 per semester (INR 16.78 Lakhs) for full-time MS programmes in 2026-27. The current fee page separately lists general, activity, first-year and orientation charges, while the application fee conflicts across two official programme surfaces.

ItemForeign amountINR equivalentBasis
Full-time tuition, one semesterUS$17,523INR 16.78 Lakhs2026-27 prior-cycle published rate
Full-time tuition, two semestersUS$35,046INR 33.56 LakhsCalculated as US$17,523 × 2
Full-time tuition, four semestersUS$70,092INR 67.12 LakhsCalculated as US$17,523 × 4 for the two-year structure
General fee, new studentUS$215 per semesterINR 20,589 per semester2026-27 prior-cycle published fee
General fee, continuing studentUS$70 per semesterINR 6,703 per semester2026-27 prior-cycle published fee
Activity feeUS$100 per semesterINR 9,576 per semester2026-27 prior-cycle published fee
First-Year Program feeUS$300INR 28,729First year only, 2026-27 prior-cycle fee
Graduate School orientation feeUS$80INR 7,661First fall term only, 2026-27 prior-cycle fee
Application feeUS$65 to US$75INR 6,225 to INR 7,182Official conflict between the Neuroscience How to Apply page and current programme application requirements

Source: Drexel College of Medicine tuition and fees page, current Neuroscience programme application requirements and Neuroscience How to Apply page.

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.763 as of 25 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

  • The calculated two-year tuition of US$70,092 (INR 67.12 Lakhs) excludes living costs, insurance and other attendance expenses.
  • The listed academic charges total US$71,297 (INR 68.28 Lakhs) before the conflicting application fee, using four semesters and first-year charges.
  • The application fee conflict changes the listed two-year total to US$71,362 to US$71,372 (INR 68.34 to INR 68.35 Lakhs), so confirm the portal amount.

Cost of Living in Philadelphia for Neuroscience Students

Drexel’s 2026-27 international cost page estimates living expenses at US$20,502 (INR 19.63 Lakhs) and other costs at US$10,756 (INR 10.30 Lakhs) for two semesters. The university combines categories, so no official rent, food or transport split is stated here.

Living-cost scope: The monthly figures below are calculated averages from the official two-semester totals, not residence quotes or visa-maintenance requirements. Use the combined estimates for financial planning and ask Drexel for the amount used on your Form I-20.

ExpenseMonthly (USD)Monthly (INR)Two-semester total (USD)Two-semester total (INR)
Living expenses, official combined estimateUS$1,708.50INR 1.64 LakhsUS$20,502INR 19.63 Lakhs
Other costs, official combined estimateUS$896.33INR 85,835US$10,756INR 10.30 Lakhs
Combined planning totalUS$2,604.83INR 2.49 LakhsUS$31,258INR 29.93 Lakhs

Using only prior-cycle published inputs, a first-year full-time planning illustration is US$67,169 (INR 64.32 Lakhs). It combines US$35,046 tuition, US$20,502 living, US$10,756 other costs and US$865 listed first-year fees.

That is a calculated prior-cycle planning illustration, not a Drexel 2027-28 quote, and the I-20 estimate may use a different enrollment basis. A two-year budget must also account for annual fee changes and the thesis or non-thesis credit load.

Also Check: USA study costs for Indian students

Target-cycle cost check

Request a Fall 2027 cost sheet that reconciles full-time tuition, listed fees, insurance and the Form I-20 estimate before making a deposit or loan commitment.

ROI reality: Target-cycle tuition is unpublished and the application fee conflicts, so confirm the full bill before treating the two-year estimate as a funding requirement.

Drexel Neuroscience Admission 2027

Drexel publishes no minimum GPA or fixed prerequisite list for the Neuroscience MS, but it expects competitive grades, relevant research interests and strong recommendation letters. Prior research experience is preferred rather than required, so Indian applicants should show scientific preparation through coursework, projects or laboratory work.

The programme is designed for cellular, systems, computational and behavioral neuroscience interests, including neuroengineering. Because the curriculum uses lab rotations and research or literature review work, applicants should identify faculty or research themes that connect directly with their proposed direction.

Drexel Neuroscience Academic Eligibility

International applicants must submit course-by-course transcript evaluations from an approved National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member. A course-by-course evaluation maps subjects, credits and grades for admissions review, while Drexel decides whether a three-year Indian degree meets its equivalency standard.

The current programme page also requires official transcripts from every college or university attended, an approximately 500-word essay, a résumé and a Math/Science GPA form. The form uses a 4.0 scale, so Indian applicants should complete it only after obtaining the required evaluation.

RequirementCurrent official evidenceAction for Indian applicants
Academic standardNo minimum requirements are published; grades, research interests and letters should be competitive.Present the strongest biology, psychology, physiology, mathematics or related preparation with clear course titles.
Research backgroundPrior research experience is preferred but not required.Describe methods, data analysis, a project question and your contribution rather than listing only a project title.
Research fitCellular, systems, computational and behavioral neuroscience interests are encouraged, including neuroengineering.Connect your statement to one or more Drexel research areas and explain the skills you want to develop.
International transcriptsCourse-by-course evaluation by a NACES member is required for international admission materials.Start evaluation early and retain the subject-level report for the Math/Science GPA form.
GRE or MCATGraduate Record Examination (GRE) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores are optional and not required for admission review.Do not book either test solely for this programme unless Drexel later changes the target-cycle instruction.
RecommendationsThe current programme requirements state two letters required and three preferred, while Neuroscience How to Apply states three required.Prepare three referees and confirm the target portal requirement before submission.

The recommendation count is an official conflict between current Drexel pages, while the absence of a GPA minimum is consistent across the programme and catalogue. The safer application plan is three detailed letters covering research ability, scientific reasoning and reliability.

English Language Proficiency Requirements 2027

Drexel’s current biomedical-science FAQ requires an approved English proficiency exam when an applicant’s first language is not English. It also applies when the applicant did not complete an undergraduate degree in the United States. The FAQ lists the following minimums, and its TOEFL wording should be reproduced without scale conversion.

TestPublished minimumIndian applicant note
iBT TOEFLiBT TOEFL 79, as stated in the current FAQ.The FAQ does not state a revised 1.0 to 6.0 score, so verify the accepted report format.
IELTSIELTS 6.5Send the official score report directly from the testing service.
PTEPTE 61Use this alternative if the TOEFL reporting format is unclear for your test date.
Duolingo English TestDuolingo 110The current Division FAQ accepts this route, but verify the target portal checklist.
Cambridge EnglishCambridge 185Confirm the accepted Cambridge examination before booking the test.
  • Indian applicants can request a waiver when university documentation proves that a completed BS or MS degree was taught fully in English.
  • A degree from an academic institution in the United States, United Kingdom or Canada is exempt under the current FAQ.
  • Prepare an IELTS 6.5 or PTE 61 route alongside transcript evaluation because the target-year TOEFL scale is not restated.

No foreign GPA threshold appears on the checked current sources, so an Indian percentage or 10-point CGPA conversion would be unsupported. Drexel instead evaluates the complete file through grades, interests, documents and recommendations.

Admissions check

Obtain the transcript evaluation and three recommendation letters before the Fall 2027 portal opens, then resolve the official recommendation-count conflict inside the application checklist.

Tip for Indian students: The file has no GPA shortcut, so prove transcript equivalency, research fit and English readiness before relying on the optional GRE or MCAT policy.

Drexel Neuroscience Application 2027

Fall 2027 applications are not yet open, and the current programme page does not name the target year. Its recurring pattern says review begins February 1, international rolling admission runs through June 1 and the programme may close early.

The target date is therefore Expected: 01 June 2027, not a confirmed deadline. Drexel publishes no time of day or timezone for June 1, so Indian applicants should follow the portal cutoff rather than calculate an IST conversion.

Fall 2027 Application Stages

The official page lists Fall as the only MS intake and marks Spring and Summer as not available. The table keeps those published intake choices visible while labelling the target-year dates as expected.

Stage or intakeFall 2027 international evidenceApplicant action
Application review beginsExpected 01 February 2027, based on the programme page’s recurring February 1 review opening.Have your transcript evaluation, English score and referees ready before the review window.
International deadlineExpected 01 June 2027, based on the programme page’s recurring June 1 deadline.Submit the complete file before the portal cutoff and do not wait for the final date because review is rolling.
Decision timingRolling review is published, but no target-cycle decision date is stated.Monitor the applicant portal and email after submission because decisions may be made before the deadline.
Spring intakeN/A on the current MS deadline table.Do not plan a Spring 2027 start unless Drexel adds a new intake to the programme page.
Summer intakeN/A on the current MS deadline table.Use Fall as the applicant-facing route unless the programme publishes a different option.
  • Submit before the expected June 1 date because the programme says the class may fill before the stated international deadline.
  • Start the NACES course-by-course evaluation early because the report supports both transcript review and the Math/Science GPA form.
  • Prepare three recommendation letters because current official pages disagree about whether two or three are required.
  • Use the 500-word essay to connect your research interests, long-term plan and preferred thesis or literature-review direction.

Drexel’s first-year lab rotations help students identify an adviser and research direction, so the application should show intellectual fit rather than only a broad interest in the brain. This matters because the thesis route adds independent research, while the non-thesis route culminates in a primary-literature review.

Applicants may apply to only one programme, and official documents must be sent directly from every institution attended. Keep copies of transcripts, evaluations and recommendation confirmations because missing records can delay review even when the online form is submitted.

Application timing check

Use February 1 and June 1, 2027 as expected planning checkpoints, then replace them with the confirmed dates and cutoff details when Drexel publishes the target-cycle portal.

Application tip: Because review is rolling and may close early, complete the evaluated transcript, English score and three-letter file before the expected June deadline.

Drexel Neuroscience Scholarships 2027

No target-cycle scholarship deadline or international tuition award was published for Fall 2027. The programme lists one half-tuition award for U.S. citizens or permanent residents, while a separate Drexel alumni award can apply to Neuroscience when the applicant satisfies its alumni condition.

Indian applicants should therefore budget without a tuition award unless they are qualifying Drexel alumni. The verified options below distinguish admission funding from an enrolled-student travel award, because neither the target tuition nor the target scholarship calendar is confirmed.

Verified Funding Routes

The table uses current published award conditions from the official College of Medicine scholarships and fellowships page. A current published award is not automatically a Fall 2027 award until Drexel confirms its cycle and application route.

AwardPublished valueEligibility and routeFall 2027 timing
Drexel Lifelong Learner Award30% tuition savings; fees excluded.Drexel bachelor’s or master’s alumni entering a participating graduate programme, including MS Neuroscience in Philadelphia.Current published; target-cycle deadline not published, and acceptance must occur by the applicable application deadline.
Itzhak Fischer Scholarship to Enhance Research OpportunitiesHalf tuition over two years for two students.U.S. citizens or permanent residents who have faced personal, academic or financial obstacles; not open to Indian applicants under the published rule.Current published; no target-cycle deadline stated.
Graduate Student Travel AwardLimited awards; amount is not published.College of Medicine graduate students after enrolment, for travel support rather than tuition reduction.Current published; contact the Graduate School for the active round.

The Lifelong Learner Award covers tuition only and cannot be treated as a living-cost grant. Its page also says eligibility can change, so an Indian Drexel alumnus should confirm the Fall 2027 condition before reducing the amount borrowed.

  • A qualifying Drexel alumnus should disclose the completed degree on the graduate application and ask whether the 30% award applies to the target start term.
  • An applicant without Drexel alumni status should model the full published charge because the Neuroscience half-tuition award excludes US citizens and permanent residents from the Indian applicant pool.
  • The travel award can support conference participation after enrolment, but it cannot replace tuition, living or visa funding at admission.

The programme page describes the Fischer award as holistic, using academic potential, transcripts, recommendations and a personal statement about obstacles. That evidence can strengthen the application narrative, but it does not create eligibility when nationality conditions exclude the applicant.

Read More: Drexel University graduate profile

Funding reality

Request written confirmation of alumni-award eligibility and the Fall 2027 deadline before treating any tuition reduction as part of your loan or financial-proof calculation.

Scholarship reality: The only programme-specific tuition award excludes Indian applicants, so fund the degree at full cost unless Drexel confirms a separate eligible route.

Drexel Neuroscience Salary 2027

Drexel does not publish a Neuroscience MS salary, offer-rate or employment report in the checked programme material. The available evidence therefore supports a research and career-planning analysis, not a typical graduate salary or placement claim.

The curriculum supports laboratory research, pharmaceutical research, academic work, government and doctoral preparation through rotations, quantitative training and thesis or literature-review work. That structure benefits applicants who value research depth, but it may require further study for medical-scientist roles that usually expect a doctorate.

Neuroscience Career Evidence and Market Benchmarks

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes occupation-level wages, not university graduate outcomes. Its median wage is the point where half of workers earn more and half earn less, so it cannot be treated as an admissions or repayment benchmark.

Evidence scopeOccupation or measurePublished result (US$)INR equivalentApplicant meaning
External market benchmarkBiological technicians, May 2024 median wage.US$52,000INR 49.80 LakhsCloser to an entry laboratory reference because BLS lists a bachelor’s degree as typical entry education.
External market benchmarkMedical scientists, May 2024 median wage.US$100,590INR 96.33 LakhsBLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as typical entry education, so an MS graduate should not assume this outcome.
External industry benchmarkMedical scientists in research and development, May 2024 median wage.US$121,240INR 1.16 CroreThis sector figure describes workers already in the occupation and is not a Drexel placement result.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics medical-scientist wage data.

Drexel reports no course-cohort salary, offer rate, sector mix or named-employer evidence for this MS. That missing outcome data increases funding risk, so model an entry laboratory role rather than the higher medical-scientist benchmark.

Gross pay is not take-home pay because taxes, benefits and location change net income; use the IRS tax withholding estimator before building a repayment plan.

For return on investment (ROI), compare the verified cost with evidence for earnings and work access. The calculated 2026-27 first-year full-time planning illustration is US$67,169 (INR 64.32 Lakhs), while Fall 2027 tuition remains unpublished.

  • The prior-cycle two-year tuition and listed academic charges total US$71,297 (INR 68.28 Lakhs) before the conflicting application fee, so request the 2027-28 bill before borrowing.
  • The absence of a Drexel employment report means the US$52,000 (INR 49.80 Lakhs) biological-technician median is a planning reference, so compare it with written entry-role offers.
  • The US$100,590 (INR 96.33 Lakhs) medical-scientist median has doctoral-level typical entry education, so do not use it as an MS salary assumption.
  • A post-completion host-country work window can support a US plan, but its duration and any STEM extension remain conditional on current immigration rules and the degree record.
  • An India-return plan has no verified course salary figure here, so compare the two-year cost with specific laboratory, research-assistant or doctoral routes before accepting a loan.

Check Out: Drexel University science courses

ROI reality: Research preparation is evidenced, but unpublished course outcomes and target tuition prevent a verified payback period, so use conservative entry-role assumptions.

USA Visa for Drexel Neuroscience Students 2027

Indian applicants admitted to this full-time Philadelphia programme normally use the F-1 student visa and receive a Form I-20 from Drexel. Current fees are US$185 (INR 17,716) for the application and US$350 (INR 33,517) for I-901 SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System used for visa processing. Visa applicants must separately show academic preparation, financial support and intent, so admission does not guarantee issuance or employment. Post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary work authorization related to the degree, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) status may support an extension.

  • The standard post-completion OPT period may last up to 12 months when the work directly relates to the Neuroscience degree.
  • A further 24-month STEM OPT extension is conditional on current rules, employer participation, the catalogue’s CIP code 26.1501 and designated-school-official confirmation.
  • An H-1B specialty-occupation route requires employer sponsorship and the higher of the actual or prevailing wage, while employment-based permanent residence has no fixed programme-linked timeline.
  • F-2 status may cover a spouse and unmarried minor children, but each dependent needs an individual Form I-20 and F-2 dependents are not authorised to work.

Read More: USA post-study work options

Visa reality: The degree may support a 12-month work window, but STEM extension, sponsorship and permanent residence are conditional, so retain an India-return funding plan.

Drexel’s M.S. in Neuroscience fits Indian applicants with life-science or quantitative preparation who want research training across cellular, systems, computational or behavioral neuroscience. The two-year full-time structure offers thesis and non-thesis routes, lab rotations and a possible doctoral bridge, which suits applicants who can articulate a specific research direction. The material tradeoff is financial uncertainty because Fall 2027 tuition and course-level employment outcomes remain unpublished, while the available funding is conditional. Before borrowing, confirm the target tuition, application fee and international deadline in the live portal.

Drexel Neuroscience FAQs

Ques. Is Drexel Neuroscience suitable for an Indian applicant without prior research experience?

Ans. The programme can suit an applicant without prior research because Drexel says experience is preferred but not required. You should still show relevant coursework, a project or a clear research interest.

Ques. How should I budget for Fall 2027 Drexel Neuroscience?

Ans. Fall 2027 tuition is unpublished. A 2026-27 full-time planning illustration is US$67,169 (INR 64.32 Lakhs) for one year. It combines tuition, living, other costs and listed fees, so confirm the 2027-28 bill before borrowing.

Ques. Which English score and transcript evaluation does Drexel require?

Ans. Current FAQ minimums include IELTS 6.5, PTE 61, Duolingo 110 and Cambridge 185. It states iBT TOEFL 79 without publishing a revised 1.0 to 6.0 score. International transcripts need a NACES course-by-course evaluation.

Ques. When should I apply for Fall 2027 Drexel Neuroscience?

Ans. Fall 2027 is the next applicant-facing intake, but its date is expected because Drexel’s page does not name the year. Plan around review from 01 February and the 01 June international deadline, then replace them with portal dates.

Ques. Can Drexel Neuroscience support a U.S. career after graduation?

Ans. Drexel does not publish a course salary or offer-rate report, so a U.S. biological-technician median of US$52,000 (INR 49.80 Lakhs) is only an external benchmark. A 12-month OPT window is conditional and does not guarantee a job or sponsorship.


Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$43140

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Living Expenses$19809
Total Cost$19809

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2023$40260
2021$30232

Scores Required

90 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

6.5 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

61 / 90

Avg. Score in

PTE

110 / 160

Avg. Score in

Duolingo

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for admission to Neuroscience.


Ranking

2019

US News logo
Neuroscience 330 out of 400 in Global Ranking
( #86 out of 102 in USA 2019)

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Career and Placement after Course

Students in the program can earn an MS or PhD degree, leading to careers in:

  • Academic research,
  • Teaching,
  • Pharmaceutical research,
  • Industry,
  • Government,
  • Academic administration,
  • Public policy and beyond.


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