Science graduates earn $67,452 four years out. Related careers are growing at up to 8.2%, one of the stronger demand signals across all fields. Natural Sciences Managers is among the highest-growth roles in the field.
This page covers Science as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Interdisciplinary Studies and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Science is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $67,452 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 71 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 805 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$43,943
Median Earnings · 4yr
$67,452
Colleges Offering
71
Graduates / Year
805
Avg Net Price / yr
$20,314
How Much Do Science Graduates Earn?
Four years after finishing Science, a typical graduate earns $67,452, above the national median for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $44,884 and $93,107, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $43,943 at one year out to $67,452 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$67,452
4-Year National Median
Above the national median for college graduates.
$81,455
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
Not every Science graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. 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.
$44,88425th pct.
$67,452Median
$93,10775th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $67,452 and an estimated $81,256 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.2 years.
Based on outcomes from 50 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 805 students who complete Science programs each year, the majority (81%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
81%
Bachelor's81%
Master's13%
Doctorate3%
What Can You Do With a Science Degree?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Science graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Natural Sciences Managers pay the most at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
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 Science
Not sure where to study Science? These 20 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Science graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Science is not the only path through Interdisciplinary Studies: 38 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Science program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
Strong earnings and positive career growth make Science a solid option. The 4 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are data-sourced from College Scorecard, BLS, and IPEDS.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $67,452 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $43,943 at graduation to $67,452 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Fast-growing fieldRelated careers are projected to grow up to +8.2% over the next decade, with Natural Sciences Managers among the fastest-growing roles.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $93,107, a strong ceiling for high performers.
CONS
Advanced degree often expectedTop 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.
Science Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Science graduates earn?
$67,452 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $44,884 and $93,107, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Science degree?
$43,943 in the first year out. That grows to $67,452 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Science degree?
Natural Sciences Managers are one path, and it pays a median of $167,220 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Science program take?
Four years of full-time study for a Science bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.
How many colleges offer Science?
71 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Science degree worth it?
$67,452 median earnings four years out against $20,314 a year in average net price. That is a reasonable payback window, best at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Science and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Science is the narrower of the two: Interdisciplinary Studies covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Science-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Science graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Science graduates consistently look for 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. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Science graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $67,452, graduate study in Science tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Other programs in Interdisciplinary Studies. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
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