High Salary Courses After 12th Without NEET (With Salary & Colleges)
Every year, more than 23 lakh students appear for NEET, but only around 12 lakh qualify. Does this mean your dream of a career in the medical or healthcare field ends if you don’t crack NEET? Not at all.
The truth is, biology after 12th doesn’t just mean MBBS. From pharmacy and physiotherapy to biotechnology, nutrition, and hospital management, there are numerous courses after 12th without NEET. These options let you:
- Stay connected to the medical field
- Build a rewarding career
- Earn a good salary
- Make a real difference in society
This article covers the best courses after 12th without NEET (with salary, roles, and top colleges) so you can make the right decision for your future. It’s important to know the factors due to which it is important to know and prepare yourself for the available options in case you cant give NEET, scored low in NEET, or just exploring the viable options after +2 in Science.
- NEET is highly competitive so one should have a Plan-B.
- Many paramedical, life sciences, and healthcare careers don’t require NEET.
- Salaries in these fields can be ₹3–30 LPA with experience.
- You can choose between patient-facing careers (physiotherapy, nutrition) or lab/tech roles (MLT, radiography, biotech).
PCB Courses After 12th Without NEET (With Salary)
Below are PCB courses after 12th without NEET with salary expectations and what the work feels like.
Pharmacy (B.Pharm / Pharm.D)
- Demand: Pharma is one of India’s biggest industries (manufacturing, research, clinical, regulatory).
- Work you’ll do: Medicines, drug safety, clinical trials, medical writing, regulatory files.
- Early salary: ₹3–6 LPA; mid-career jumps big if you enter drug safety, regulatory affairs, or medical science liaison (MSL) roles.
- Top colleges (examples):
- Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi
- Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai)
- Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MAHE)
- JSS College of Pharmacy (Ooty/Mysuru)
- BITS Pilani (Pharmacy)
- Entrance: Often via university/state exams (e.g., MHT-CET/own tests), not NEET.
Physiotherapy (BPT)
- Demand: Booming demand from sports, ortho, neuro, cardio rehab, and corporate wellness.
- Work you’ll do: Rehab protocols, manual therapy, exercise science, sports screening.
- Early salary: ₹3–5 LPA; private practice and sports setups can cross ₹10–20 LPA with brand building.
- Top colleges (examples):
- Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai
- Manipal College of Health Professions (MAHE)
- Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore
- SRM Institute of Science & Technology
- DY Patil Deemed University (Navi Mumbai/Pune)
Medical Lab Technology (B.Sc. MLT)
- Demand: Diagnostics is the backbone of healthcare; molecular testing surged post-pandemic.
- Work you’ll do: Biochemistry, microbiology, hematology, and molecular techniques.
- Early salary: ₹2.5–4.5 LPA; higher in NABL/NABH labs and management roles.
- Colleges (examples):
- PGIMER, Chandigarh (paramedical)
- AIIMS (B.Sc. paramedical tracks via its own exam)
- Government Medical Colleges (various states)
- Amity/Chandigarh University (private options)
Radiography / Medical Imaging Technology/ Radiologist Course
- Demand: CT/MRI/PET-CT skills are in demand; fewer trained technologists than jobs. Radiologists are always in high demand.
- Work you’ll do: Imaging protocols, safety, PACS workflows(Picture Archiving and Communication System)
- Early salary: ₹3–5.5 LPA; modality specialists earn more.
- Colleges (examples):
- AIIMS (B.Sc. Radiography/Paramedical)
- PGIMER Chandigarh
- Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute (SGPGI), Lucknow
- Government Medical Colleges
- MGM Institute of Health Sciences
Optometry (B.Optom)
- Demand: Clinics, retail chains, surgical centers, and eye institutes hire aggressively.
- Work you’ll do: Refraction, contact lenses, low vision care, pre-/post-op assessments.
- Early salary: ₹3–5 LPA; add certifications (e.g., contact lens, vision therapy) for faster growth.
- Colleges (examples):
- Sankara Nethralaya — Elite School of Optometry (Chennai)
- LV Prasad Eye Institute (Hyderabad)
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)
- Amity/Chitkara/Chandigarh University
Nutrition & Dietetics (B.Sc.)
- Demand: These days, lifestyle diseases are common, and the awareness of changing one’s diet and its effect on the diseases is catching up, thus, the demand for this profession has risen now than before. Frost, J. C., & Baldwin, A. J. (2021). ‘Food for thought’: The importance of nutrition to patient care and the role of the junior doctor. Clinical Medicine, 21(3), e272.
- Work you’ll do: Medical nutrition therapy, sports nutrition, corporate wellness.
- Early salary: ₹2.5–4.5 LPA; private practice/online consulting can scale.
- Colleges (examples):
- Lady Irwin College (Delhi University)
- SNDT Women’s University (Mumbai)
- Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences
- Mount Carmel College (Bengaluru)
Forensic Science (B.Sc.)
- Demand: Government labs, private labs, cyber/financial forensics (with add-on skills).
- Early salary: ₹3–6 LPA.
- Colleges (examples):
- Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (National Forensic Sciences University)
- Amity University (Noida)
- Osmania University (Hyderabad)
Biotechnology / Microbiology (B.Sc.)
- Demand: Biopharma, food tech, diagnostics, research; excellent choice for being a researcher and a scientist.
- Early salary: ₹3–6 LPA; R&D and QA/RA roles pay more with experience.
- Colleges (examples):
- Fergusson College (Pune)
- Christ University (Bengaluru)
- Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
- Amity/Chandigarh University
Hospital & Healthcare Management (BBA/B.Sc.)
- Demand: Hospitals are complex businesses that include operations, quality, insurance, and supply chain management. So courses in the management field have been designed to cater just to the hospitals, and are in high demand.
- Early salary: ₹3–6 LPA; with MBA/MHA and experience, ₹12–30 LPA.
- Colleges (examples):
- TISS (Bachelor’s/Integrated pathways; PG is flagship)
- IIHMR University (UG/PG)
- Manipal (MHA/Healthcare programs)
Always check the current prospectus for eligibility, fees, entrance tests (often university/state-level, not NEET), and clinical postings for medical courses after 12th without NEET.
Paramedical Courses Without NEET
Paramedical courses are hands-on, faster to jobs, and often more affordable. Some of the courses mentioned above, and other diplomas and advanced diplomas.
- B.Sc. MLT, Radiography/Imaging, Cardiac Care Tech, Anaesthesia Tech, Operation Theatre (OT) Tech, Dialysis Tech, Emergency & Trauma Care, Perfusion Technology, Respiratory Therapy, B.Sc. Nursing, Optometry, etc.
- Many institutes also offer Diplomas/Advanced Diplomas in these.
A job with the highest salary without NEET?
While the salary in every field increases and grows multifold with experience and skills, some fields like B.Pharm/Pharm.D (industry roles), BPT (private/sports practice), BOT( Bachelor of Occupational Therapy), therapies for neurodivergent kids or people, B.Sc. Radiology/Imaging (advanced modalities), and Healthcare Management (leadership) tend to reach the highest salary.
Dermatology Courses After 12th Without NEET
There’s no MBBS-level dermatology without NEET. But you can enter aesthetic and skin-care allied tracks:
- Diploma/Certificate: Medical Cosmetology, Aesthetic Medicine Assistant, Laser Technician, Dermal Therapist, Trichology Assistant.
- B.Sc. in Dermatology and Cosmetology: Graduation program for 3 years, usually offered by both government and private institutes and universities, specialised in advanced skin and hair treatment, laser know-how and salon management and marketing.
- Who should choose: If you enjoy skincare, procedures, and patient counseling, pair with internships under dermatologists/cosmetology clinics for real skill.
- Outcomes: Clinic technician, laser therapist, aesthetic counselor; later open your own aesthetic studio with the right state compliance. So even if you couldn’t crack NEET or had a low score, you can still pursue the dream of becoming a doctor with a low NEET score.
Short-Term Medical Courses Without NEET (Add-Ons That Boost Salary)
There are some short term courses mentioned here briefly, which can add value to your course and also equip you with the right skills on the job, and thus you can earn more salary than others.
- Medical Coding & Billing (CPC prep)
- Clinical Research & Pharmacovigilance basics
- Hospital Quality (NABH), Medical Records
- Advanced Excel for Healthcare Ops, Power BI
- Phlebotomy, ECG Technician, Dialysis Technician
- LASER/Aesthetic Technician modules
- Emergency First Responder/EMT-B certifications
These short term courses without NEET can accelerate promotions or make you job-ready faster.
Best Courses After 12th Science Without NEET: How to Choose
- Patient-facing vs. lab/tech: If you are comfortable with direct interaction with patients, choose BPT, Optometry, Nutrition. If you prefer tech/labs then MLT, Imaging, Biotech.
- Fastest to job vs. highest ceiling: Paramedical means quick entry; Pharmacy/Healthcare Mgmt can lead to bigger leadership/industry roles.
- City matters: Salaries and internships are stronger in metros with superspecialty hospitals and pharma hubs.
- College or course name: Pick NAAC/NBA-accredited institutes with strong clinical tie-ups, labs, and placement cells.
- Licensing/Certifications: Check state council registrations (Pharmacy Council, etc.) where relevant. To summarise, here’s a table for quick reference of the courses we have discussed and where you can pursue them from;
High Salary Courses After 12th Without NEET
| Course (UG) | Typical Duration | Sample Roles | Early Career Pay* | Where It Can Go | Sample Colleges (India) |
| B.Pharm / Pharm.D | 4 yrs / 6 yrs | Pharmacist, Clinical Research Associate, Medical Writer | ₹3–6 LPA | Pharma sales/marketing, QA/QC, PV, Regulatory, MSL (₹12–25 LPA with exp) | Jamia Hamdard (New Delhi), Institute of Chemical Technology (Mumbai), Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (MAHE), JSS College of Pharmacy (Ooty/Mysuru) |
| BPT (Physiotherapy) | 4.5 yrs incl. internship | Physiotherapist (Hospitals/Clinics/Sports) | ₹3–5 LPA | Sports physio, Neuro/Cardio rehab, Private practice (₹10–20 LPA+) | Christian Medical College (Vellore), Seth GS Medical College & KEM Hospital (Mumbai), Manipal College of Health Professions, SRM Institute of Science & Technology |
| B.Sc. Medical Lab Technology (MLT) | 3 yrs | Lab Technologist, Molecular Diagnostics | ₹2.5–4.5 LPA | Lab manager, Molecular labs, Diagnostics business | AIIMS (New Delhi & other AIIMS), PGIMER (Chandigarh), Amity University, Chandigarh University |
| B.Sc. Radiography / Medical Imaging | 3–4 yrs | Radiology/CT/MRI Technologist | ₹3–5.5 LPA | Modality specialist, PACS admin, Overseas options | AIIMS, PGIMER (Chandigarh), SGPGI (Lucknow), MGM Institute of Health Sciences (Mumbai) |
| B.Optometry | 4 yrs | Optometrist (Hospitals/Retail/Eye Institutes) | ₹3–5 LPA | Low vision/Contact lens specialist, Clinic owner | Elite School of Optometry – Sankara Nethralaya (Chennai), LV Prasad Eye Institute (Hyderabad), Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Chitkara University |
| B.Sc. Nutrition & Dietetics | 3 yrs | Clinical Dietitian, Sports Nutritionist | ₹2.5–4.5 LPA | Sports teams, Corporate wellness, Private practice | Lady Irwin College (Delhi), SNDT Women’s University (Mumbai), Symbiosis (Pune), Mount Carmel College (Bengaluru) |
| B.Sc. Forensic Science | 3 yrs | Lab Analyst (Forensics), Crime Scene Investigator | ₹3–6 LPA | Govt labs, Cyber-forensics (with upskilling) | Gujarat Forensic Sciences University (NFSU, Gandhinagar), Amity University (Noida), Osmania University (Hyderabad) |
| B.Sc. Biotechnology / Microbiology | 3 yrs | Research Assistant, QA in Biotech/Food/Pharma | ₹3–6 LPA | Biotech R&D, Biopharma, MS abroad (higher pay) | Fergusson College (Pune), Christ University (Bengaluru), VIT (Vellore), Amity University |
| BBA/B.Sc. Hospital & Healthcare Management | 3 yrs | Hospital Admin Executive, Operations | ₹3–6 LPA | Hospital COO/Quality head (₹12–30 LPA with exp) | Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS, Mumbai), IIHMR University (Jaipur), Manipal (MHA/Healthcare programs), Symbiosis Institute of Health Sciences |
| B.Sc. Anaesthesia Tech / OT Tech | 3–4 yrs | Anaesthesia/OT Technologist | ₹3–5 LPA | Senior tech, Overseas placements | AIIMS (paramedical streams), Christian Medical College (Vellore), Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education (Chennai), State Govt. Medical Colleges (various) |
Note: Salaries vary by city, employer, and experience. These ranges are compiled from multiple reliable sources like Glassdoor, AmbitionBox, Payscale, and industry reports.
Conclusion
Biology after 12th doesn’t just mean MBBS. The truth is, the medical and healthcare field is vast, with dozens of opportunities where you can build a rewarding career, earn a good salary, and still make a meaningful impact on society. Whether it’s through paramedical sciences, pharmacy, physiotherapy, optometry, or cutting-edge research in biotechnology and forensics, each path allows you to serve the community, improve people’s health, and gain deep respect in the process.
If you’re passionate about helping others and curious about the science of life, answering unanswered questions through your viable research, these high-salary courses after 12th without NEET are more than just alternatives; they are gateways to fulfilling careers where you can combine financial stability with serving society and earn respect in the healthcare field.
And if you’re looking for some courses that require no maths, check out Courses for Non-Maths Students.
FAQs
Are these “medical courses after 12th without NEET”?
A. Yes, paramedical, pharmacy, physiotherapy, optometry, nutrition, forensics, biotech, healthcare management don’t need NEET at most colleges.
Which job has the highest salary without NEET?
A. Over time, Pharma (PV/RA/MSL), Physiotherapy (sports/private), Imaging (CT/MRI specialists), and Healthcare Administration (leadership) tend to pay the most.
Are there “dermatology courses after 12th without NEET”?
A. Not MBBS-dermatology. But you can do aesthetic/cosmetology technician and laser courses; pair with clinic experience.
What is the salary of a microbiologist in ISRO?
A. It is around 8-9 LPA.
