Natural Sciences
Offered at 115 college programs that reported results. Here is what graduates earn and owe at each credential level, and which programs pay best.
By credential level
| Credential | Programs | Typical earnings, 1 yr | Typical earnings, 5 yrs | Typical debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate | 15 | — | — | — |
| Associate | 32 | — | $61,194 | — |
| Bachelor's | 56 | $38,655 | $46,624 | $24,500 |
| Master's | 9 | — | — | — |
| Doctoral | 2 | — | — | — |
| Graduate certificate | 1 | — | — | — |
"Typical" is the median across programs of each program's median, counting only programs with unsuppressed data (at least three). It describes a typical program, not a national median for all graduates. Certificate figures include certificates earned at four-year colleges, often alongside a bachelor's; see degrees vs. certificates for a cleaner comparison. Source: College Scorecard field of study data.
Highest-earning associate programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coastline Community College | CA | — | $81,809 | — |
| 2 | Kapiolani Community College | HI | — | $69,795 | — |
| 3 | Massasoit Community College | MA | — | $61,194 | — |
| 4 | Pasadena City College | CA | — | $60,911 | — |
| 5 | Bossier Parish Community College | LA | $27,521 | $47,690 | $12,000 |
| 6 | Lee College | TX | $25,848 | — | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning bachelor's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas State University | KS | $40,805 | $75,900 | $19,527 |
| 2 | Daemen University | NY | — | $74,662 | $27,000 |
| 3 | Loyola Marymount University | CA | $33,291 | $69,746 | $21,875 |
| 4 | Felician University | NJ | — | $56,081 | — |
| 5 | Dominican University | IL | $34,968 | $55,445 | $26,671 |
| 6 | Temple University | PA | $55,228 | — | $31,000 |
| 7 | American Public University System | WV | $52,705 | — | $28,797 |
| 8 | University of Puerto Rico at Cayey | PR | $21,287 | $48,716 | — |
| 9 | Logan University | MO | — | $44,533 | $9,417 |
| 10 | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras | PR | — | $44,029 | — |
| 11 | California State University-Los Angeles | CA | $43,186 | — | $13,500 |
| 12 | Christian Brothers University | TN | — | $37,380 | — |
| 13 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro | PR | $28,398 | $37,045 | $15,417 |
| 14 | Universidad del Sagrado Corazon | PR | — | $32,653 | — |
| 15 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology | PA | $38,655 | $30,858 | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Highest-earning master's programs
| # | College | State | Earnings, 1 yr | Earnings, 5 yrs | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Wyoming | WY | — | $66,085 | — |
| 2 | Piedmont University | GA | — | $65,557 | — |
Ranked by 5-year median earnings, or 1-year where 5-year is not reported.
Related fields
Quick answers
- How much do natural sciences graduates earn?
- One year after finishing, a typical bachelor's program in natural sciences reports median earnings of $38,655. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field of study data.
