Best colleges for Science in California
Ranked by graduate earnings
Stanford University, University of California-Davis and University of Southern California award the most Science degrees and certificates in California: 74, 15 and 4 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 California colleges offer Science and award 98 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Science, Technology and Society program explores the intricate relationships between scientific advancements, technological innovations, and societal impacts. This interdisciplinary field is designed for students who are interested in…
Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University Stanford Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,736 | 74 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
Colleges awarding the most Science degrees in California
Top 6 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University Stanford Private not-for-profit | 74 | $44,736 |
| 2 | University of California-Davis Davis Public | 15 | Not reported |
| 3 | University of Southern California Los Angeles Private not-for-profit | 4 | Not reported |
| 4 | California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Pomona Public | 2 | Not reported |
| 5 | Scripps College Claremont Private not-for-profit | 2 | Not reported |
| 6 | Pomona College Claremont Private not-for-profit | 1 | Not reported |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Natural Sciences Managers (SOC 11-9121).
Top skills
What Natural Sciences Managers earn in California
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Science programs in California.
Which California colleges award the most Science degrees?+
Stanford University (74 graduates a year), University of California-Davis (15 graduates a year) and University of Southern California (4 graduates a year) award the most Science degrees and certificates in California, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 California colleges offer Science.
Which Science program in California has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Stanford University tops the list at $44,736. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Natural Sciences Managers earn in California?+
The average annual wage for Natural Sciences Managers in California is $223,850 (median $210,230), across about 14,950 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Science program?+
The Science, Technology and Society program explores the intricate relationships between scientific advancements, technological innovations, and societal impacts. This interdisciplinary field is designed for students who are interested in…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop science, active listening, monitoring, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Natural Sciences Managers?+
The national job outlook is about +3.7% growth with around 8,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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