HUMANITIES Specialization

Science

Science graduates earn $67,452 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,884 and $93,107. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.

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About Science

Science is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduates typically earn around $67,452 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 71 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 805 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: $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?

Science graduates earn $67,452 four years out, above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,884 and $93,107. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $43,943 climbs to $67,452 by year four.

$43,943

1 Year After Graduation

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

There is a wide earnings spread across Science 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.

$44,884 25th pct.

$67,452 Median

$93,107 75th 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's 81%

Master's 13%

Doctorate 3%

What Can You Do With a Science Degree?

Science 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 Science

The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Science 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	Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY · Public	199	63.3%	$10,867	$69,781
2	James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA · Public	71	71.5%	$23,322	$69,954
3	Brown University Providence, RI · Nonprofit	49	5.4%	$25,184	$93,487
4	Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA · Public	45	14.1%	$12,116	$102,772
5	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC · Public	44	41.7%	$17,303	$68,758
6	Wesleyan University Middletown, CT · Nonprofit	35	16.5%	$30,177	$73,897
7	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ · Public	32	89.9%	$14,967	$62,668
8	Stanford University Stanford, CA · Nonprofit	27	3.6%	$13,807	$124,080
9	Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN · Nonprofit	21	5.9%	$15,846	$91,565
10	Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY · Nonprofit	17	18.6%	$39,343	$71,366
11	Southeastern Louisiana University Hammond, LA · Public	16	99.3%	$13,154	$46,482
12	Michigan State University East Lansing, MI · Public	15	84.8%	$19,680	$67,253
13	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, WA · Public	15	90.6%	$12,319	$78,466
14	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA · Public	14	54.8%	$24,953	$81,698
15	University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Norman, OK · Public	14	76.6%	$15,300	$63,126
16	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit	14	4.6%	$20,111	$143,372
17	Beloit College Beloit, WI · Nonprofit	13	63%	$21,526	$53,260
18	Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus University Park, PA · Public	12	60.6%	$32,875	$63,435
19	University of California-Davis Davis, CA · Public	12	41.8%	$14,741	$80,838
20	Cornell University Ithaca, NY · Nonprofit	12	8.8%	$28,690	$104,043

View all colleges

Ranked by Science 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 Science program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Science 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.

Science Degree: Pros & Cons

The data on Science shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 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 $67,452 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $43,943 at graduation to $67,452 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
High upside potential Top earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $93,107, a strong ceiling for high performers.

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.

Science Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Science graduates earn?

Science graduates earn a national median of $67,452 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,884 and $93,107. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.

What is the starting salary for a Science degree?

One year after graduation, Science degree holders earn a median of $43,943. That climbs to $67,452 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.

What jobs can you get with a Science degree?

Science 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 Science program take?

A Science 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 Science?

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

Is a Science degree worth it?

With a median 4-year salary of $67,452 and an average net price of roughly $20,314/yr, a Science 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 Science and Interdisciplinary Studies?

Science is a focused concentration within the broader Interdisciplinary Studies field. The Interdisciplinary Studies major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Science-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 Science graduates?

Employers hiring Science 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.

Is graduate school worth it for Science graduates?

With a median salary of $67,452, graduate study in Science can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.