HUMANITIES Specialization

Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences graduates earn $57,935 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,541 and $80,456. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Natural Sciences

Natural Sciences is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduates typically earn around $57,935 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 154 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 2,275 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $30,631
Median Earnings · 4yr: $57,935
Colleges Offering: 154
Graduates / Year: 2,275
Avg Net Price / yr: $18,036

How Much Do Natural Sciences Graduates Earn?

Natural Sciences graduates earn $57,935 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,541 and $80,456. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $30,631 climbs to $57,935 by year four.

$30,631

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$57,935

4-Year National Median

Near the national median for college graduates.

$48,922

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

There is a wide earnings spread across Natural Sciences graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.

$36,541 25th pct.

$57,935 Median

$80,456 75th pct.

A Solid Financial Return

Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $57,935 and an estimated $72,144 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.6 years.

Based on outcomes from 100 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 2,275 students who complete Natural Sciences programs each year, the majority (40%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

28% 27% 40%

Bachelor's 40%

Certificate 28%

Associate's 27%

What Can You Do With a Natural Sciences Degree?

Natural Sciences connects to 1 occupations in the job market. Natural Sciences Managers leads at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

↗ +3.7% Zone 5: Extensive preparation

Natural Sciences Managers

$167,220

$119K $222K 25th–75th pct.

Bachelor's degree 8,500 openings/yr 109K employed nationally

Science Reading Comprehension Active Listening Reading Comprehension Active Listening

Day-to-day responsibilities

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.

Top Colleges for Natural Sciences

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Natural Sciences students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Daemen University Amherst, NY · Nonprofit	110	68.3%	$18,693	$61,808
2	Estrella Mountain Community College Avondale, AZ · Public	95	Open	$12,254	$44,356
3	University of Puerto Rico at Cayey Cayey, PR · Public	70	53%	$10,176	$30,958
4	Kansas State University Manhattan, KS · Public	67	81.7%	$19,406	$57,262
5	Kapiolani Community College Honolulu, HI · Public	59	Open	$5,202	$44,599
6	Leeward Community College Pearl City, HI · Public	47	Open	$5,137	$39,899
7	University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras San Juan, PR · Public	45	54.6%	$9,175	$35,723
8	California State University-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA · Public	42	91.3%	$3,967	$59,211
9	Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA · Nonprofit	42	45.1%	$48,381	$78,349
10	Lee College Baytown, TX · Public	36	Open	$6,879	$42,178
11	New York University New York, NY · Nonprofit	34	9.2%	$37,050	$82,509
12	Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TX · Nonprofit	34	44.5%	$36,660	$68,424
13	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO · Public	33	88.5%	$21,279	$60,543
14	Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LA · Public	31	Open	$10,706	$34,502
15	Harvard University Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit	29	3.7%	$19,066	$101,817
16	Dominican University River Forest, IL · Nonprofit	28	90.3%	$11,745	$60,327
17	Logan University Chesterfield, MO · Nonprofit	28	64.3%	$20,218	$55,838
18	Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD · Nonprofit	25	6.4%	$18,809	$87,555
19	Xavier University Cincinnati, OH · Nonprofit	25	86.4%	$32,997	$64,873
20	Universidad del Sagrado Corazon Santurce, PR · Nonprofit	24	58%	$12,924	$31,754

View all colleges

Ranked by Natural Sciences graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Natural Sciences program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Natural Sciences degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Natural Sciences Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Natural Sciences shows 3 measurable strengths and 2 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.

PROS

Above-average earnings Four-year median of $57,935 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $30,631 at graduation to $57,935 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Flexible credential paths Programs are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.

CONS

Advanced degree often expected Top roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($36,541) and 75th ($80,456) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.

Natural Sciences Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Natural Sciences graduates earn?

Natural Sciences graduates earn a national median of $57,935 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,541 and $80,456. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Natural Sciences degree?

One year after graduation, Natural Sciences degree holders earn a median of $30,631. That climbs to $57,935 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Natural Sciences degree?

Natural Sciences degree holders pursue careers including Natural Sciences Managers, which pays a median of $167,220/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.

How long does a Natural Sciences program take?

A Natural Sciences bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.

How many colleges offer Natural Sciences?

154 colleges and universities in the United States offer Natural Sciences programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.

Is a Natural Sciences degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $57,935 and an average net price of roughly $18,036/yr, a Natural Sciences degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.

What is the difference between Natural Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies?

Natural Sciences is a focused concentration within the broader Interdisciplinary Studies field. The Interdisciplinary Studies major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Natural Sciences-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.

What skills do employers look for in Natural Sciences graduates?

Employers hiring Natural Sciences graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.