North Dakota·Management Occupations·SOC 11-9121

Best Natural Sciences Manager programs in North Dakota, ranked by enrollment

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

9 schools in North Dakota run programs that feed this job, graduating 540 people a year. The job pays a median of $131,370 in North Dakota across about 140 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).

Also calledResearch CoordinatorClinical Trial ManagerWater Resources PlannerClinical Program ManagerNatural Sciences ManagerClinical Research CoordinatorEnvironmental Program ManagerChemical Process Exploration Manager
Graduates / yr
540
in North Dakota
Median pay · North Dakota
$131,370
BLS OEWS May 2025
Jobs in state
140
people employed
Schools
9
with a feeder program
Avg graduation rate
49%
across those schools
Median net price
$19,583
per year, IPEDS

Fields of study in North Dakota that lead to this job

Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.

Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.01
Biology
247graduates / yr
8 schools · 1 specialization · 45.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $32,152
Physical Sciences
CIP 40.05
Chemistry
45graduates / yr
6 schools · 2 specializations · 8.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $42,620
Mathematics And Statistics
CIP 27.01
Mathematics
44graduates / yr
5 schools · 1 specialization · 8.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $48,772
Mathematics And Statistics
CIP 27.05
Statistics
31graduates / yr
1 schools · 2 specializations · 5.8% of pipeline
Grad earnings $59,718
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.19
Nutrition Sciences
18graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 3.3% of pipeline
Grad earnings $30,508
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.13
Ecology
17graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 3.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $29,460
Physical Sciences
CIP 40.06
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
17graduates / yr
3 schools · 2 specializations · 3.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $39,678
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.02
Biochemistry
16graduates / yr
2 schools · 3 specializations · 3.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $38,243
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.05
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology
16graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 3.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $38,383
Physical Sciences
CIP 40.04
Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology
14graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 2.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $41,430
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.03
Botany/Plant Biology
13graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 2.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $33,009
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.70
Data Science
13graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 2.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings
Physical Sciences
CIP 40.08
Physics
11graduates / yr
2 schools · 1 specialization · 2.0% of pipeline
Grad earnings $47,156
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.08
Genetics
8graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 1.5% of pipeline
Grad earnings $31,800
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.12
Biotechnology
6graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 1.1% of pipeline
Grad earnings $49,023
Physical Sciences
CIP 40.10
Materials Sciences
5graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.9% of pipeline
Grad earnings $72,216
Health Professions And Related Programs
CIP 51.14
Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies
5graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.9% of pipeline
Grad earnings $223,926
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.11
Biomathematics
4graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.7% of pipeline
Grad earnings $72,338
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.04
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
3graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $35,393
Biological And Biomedical Sciences
CIP 26.07
Zoology/Animal Biology
3graduates / yr
1 schools · 2 specializations · 0.6% of pipeline
Grad earnings $28,266
Mathematics And Statistics
CIP 27.06
Applied Statistics
2graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
CIP 30.01
Biological and Physical Sciences
2graduates / yr
1 schools · 1 specialization · 0.4% of pipeline
Grad earnings $28,446

28 programs in North Dakota that lead to this job

Ranked by graduates per year in North Dakota (IPEDS completions). Graduate earnings and debt are national College Scorecard figures reported at the 4-digit CIP level, so specializations within one field share a figure. Each program also links to its own North Dakota page.

Degree programs that lead to this occupation, ranked by graduates per year
#ProgramGraduates / yrShare of pipelineSchoolsGrad earnings (1 yr)Median debt
1247
45.7%
8$32,152$25,000
244
8.1%
5$48,772$21,544
336
6.7%
6$42,620$23,900
418
3.3%
1$30,508$24,586
517
3.1%
1$29,460$23,480
616
3.0%
1$38,383$22,065
716
3.0%
1$59,718$20,150
815
2.8%
1$59,718$20,150
914
2.6%
1$41,430$25,500
1013
2.4%
1$33,009$21,975
1113
2.4%
2
1213
2.4%
3$39,678$24,864
1311
2.0%
2$47,156$23,490
149
1.7%
2$38,243$23,014
159
1.7%
1$42,620$23,900
168
1.5%
1$31,800$21,424
17
Biotechnologymain feeder
6
1.1%
1$49,023$21,309
185
0.9%
2$38,243$23,014
195
0.9%
1$72,216$24,750
205
0.9%
1$223,926$16,250
214
0.7%
1$72,338$18,500
224
0.7%
1$39,678$24,864
233
0.6%
1$35,393$19,961
242
0.4%
1$28,446$11,000
252
0.4%
1$38,243$23,014
262
0.4%
1$28,266$24,393
272
0.4%
1
281
0.2%
1$28,266$24,393

Top 9 schools in North Dakota

Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 2 of the 9 schools in this state.

Schools ranked by graduates per year into this occupation
#SchoolGraduates / yrTop feeder programGrad earnings (1 yr)Grad rateNet priceAcceptance
1North Dakota State University - Main Campus
Fargo, ND Public · 20 feeder programs
268Biology/Biological Sciences, General$34,16564%95%
2University of North Dakota
Grand Forks, ND Public · 11 feeder programs
180Biology/Biological Sciences, General$28,05660%77%
3Minot State University
Minot, ND Public · 5 feeder programs
27Biology/Biological Sciences, General45%65%
4University of Mary
Bismarck, ND Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
21Biology/Biological Sciences, General67%$16,75375%
5Mayville State University
Mayville, ND Public · 3 feeder programs
14Biology/Biological Sciences, General41%
6Dickinson State University
Dickinson, ND Public · 2 feeder programs
13Biology/Biological Sciences, General51%37%
7University of Jamestown
Jamestown, ND Private not-for-profit · 3 feeder programs
13Biology/Biological Sciences, General49%$19,58388%
8Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College
New Town, ND Public · 1 feeder programs
2Biological and Physical Sciences7%
9Valley City State University
Valley City, ND Public · 2 feeder programs
2Mathematics, General53%99%

All 9 schools in North Dakota

Every school in North Dakota with a program that feeds this job, ordered by graduates per year. Earnings are shown for the ranked schools above; open a school profile for the rest.

All schools in North Dakota that feed this occupation
SchoolCityControlGraduates / yrFeeder programs
North Dakota State University - Main CampusFargoPublic26820
University of North DakotaGrand ForksPublic18011
Minot State UniversityMinotPublic275
University of MaryBismarckPrivate not-for-profit213
Mayville State UniversityMayvillePublic143
Dickinson State UniversityDickinsonPublic132
University of JamestownJamestownPrivate not-for-profit133
Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish CollegeNew TownPublic21
Valley City State UniversityValley CityPublic22

What natural sciences managers earn in North Dakota

What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.

Median annual in North Dakota
$131,370
Mean annual
$143,370
Jobs in state
140
What the range looks like
10th pct$98,490Median$131,37090th pct$216,630
Versus the national median
-21.4%

U.S. median $167,220. North Dakota pays below the national figure.

Job concentration
0.45×

1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.

Metro areas in North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND-MN
$173,590median
30 jobs
Bismarck, ND
$133,470median
40 jobs
Fargo, ND-MN
$98,700median
40 jobs

Job outlook

Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.

Projected growth 2024–34
+3.7%
About as fast as average
Openings per year
8,500
new jobs plus replacements
Employment change
3,900
104,300 → 108,200
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree

Growth and openings are national. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish employment projections at state level, so these figures describe the occupation across the whole U.S., not this state alone.

How to get in

The full skills, tools, and day-to-day breakdown lives on the national Natural Sciences Managers page.

How to become a Natural Sciences Manager

Job zone 5 of 5 · SVP 8.0 and above
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Work experience needed
5 years or more

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningWritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingMonitoring

The same job in other states

Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.

Related careers in North Dakota

Every major mapped to this job

The official federal mapping behind the rankings above.

All 25 majors mapped to Natural Sciences Managers24 of them graduated someone in the latest IPEDS year. NCES CIP 2020 → SOC 2018 crosswalk.+
  • 14.1201Engineering Physics/Applied Physics
  • 14.3701Operations Research
  • 26.0101Biology/Biological Sciences, General
  • 26.0202Biochemistry
  • 26.0203Biophysics
  • 26.0204Molecular Biology
  • 26.0205Molecular Biochemistry
  • 26.0206Molecular Biophysics
  • 26.0207Structural Biology
  • 26.0208Photobiology(no graduates reported)
  • 26.0209Radiation Biology/Radiobiology
  • 26.0210Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • 26.0299Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
  • 26.0301Botany/Plant Biology
  • 26.0305Plant Pathology/Phytopathology
  • 26.0307Plant Physiology
  • 26.0399Botany/Plant Biology, Other
  • 26.0401Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
  • 26.0403Anatomy
  • 26.0406Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • 26.0499Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
  • 26.0502Microbiology, General
  • 26.0503Medical Microbiology and Bacteriology
  • 26.0504Virology
  • 26.0505Parasitology

Common questions

Answers for people weighing natural sciences managers programs in North Dakota.

What degree do you need to become a Natural Sciences Manager?+

Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education BLS reports for this occupation. The most common program people actually graduate from is Biology/Biological Sciences, General, which awarded 247 degrees in North Dakota in 2024-25, 45.7% of everyone graduating from a program that feeds this career.

Which college majors lead to becoming a Natural Sciences Manager?+

The NCES CIP-to-SOC crosswalk maps 28 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, plus 18 more. Together they graduate about 540 people a year in North Dakota.

How much do natural sciences managers earn in North Dakota?+

The median is $131,370 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 21.4% below the U.S. median of $167,220. This is pay for people already working in the occupation, not the same thing as graduate earnings one year after finishing a degree.

Is demand for natural sciences managers growing?+

BLS projects a +3.7% change in employment between 2024 and 2034, about as fast as average, with roughly 8,500 openings a year nationally once retirements and job changes are counted.

How many schools offer programs for this career in North Dakota?+

9 institutions in North Dakota reported graduates from at least one of the 28 programs that feed this occupation in IPEDS 2024-25. Rankings on this page use graduates per year, because the federal data publishes no enrollment count by program.

What other job titles do natural sciences managers work under?+

Employers advertise this work under many names. O*NET records Research Coordinator, Clinical Trial Manager, Water Resources Planner, Clinical Program Manager, Natural Sciences Manager, Clinical Research Coordinator among the most commonly reported, all mapping to SOC 11-9121.

About the data on this page

Rankings use IPEDS completions 2024–25, degrees awarded per year. That is the closest federal measure of how many people a program puts into a career, because no federal dataset publishes enrollment by program. Wages and employment come from BLS OEWS May 2025, growth and openings from BLS Employment Projections 2024-34, and which majors lead to which jobs from the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. Occupation descriptions, tasks, skills and tools are O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor/ETA).

  • BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics

    May 2025

    Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.

  • BLS Employment Projections

    2024–34

    Projected growth, annual openings and typical entry-level education.

  • IPEDS Completions

    2024-25 (provisional)

    Graduates per year by program and institution — the ranking metric.

  • College Scorecard, Field of Study

    2020-21 cohorts

    Median graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.

  • Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes

    latest available

    Graduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.

  • NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk

    CIP 2020 / SOC 2018

    Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.

  • O*NET Database 30.3

    30.3

    Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.

    Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA

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