Best colleges for Natural Sciences
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Natural Sciences by graduate earnings are Harvard University ($69,242), Temple University ($45,910) and California State University - Los Angeles ($39,870), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Harvard University (Cambridge, MA): $69,242, 27 graduates a year
- Temple University (Philadelphia, PA): $45,910, 29 graduates a year
- California State University - Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA): $39,870, 64 graduates a year
- Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles, CA): $33,647, 53 graduates a year
- Kansas State University (Manhattan, KS): $28,107, 48 graduates a year
Compare 112 U.S. colleges offering Natural Sciences by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 34 states.
Natural Sciences programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,587 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 30.18 and the Natural Sciences Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Natural Sciences programs
The Natural Sciences program is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the study of natural phenomena. It encompasses various scientific disciplines, including both physical and life sciences, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the natural world. This program is ideal for those who are curious about the sciences and wish to explore the complexities of nature through a structured academic approach.
Students in the Natural Sciences program will develop core skills in science, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework may include subjects such as biology, chemistry, and environmental science, equipping students with the knowledge necessary to analyze and understand scientific concepts and methodologies.
Top 11 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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 | Harvard University Cambridge, MA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $69,242 | 27 | 98% | $15,013 | $23,681 |
| 2 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,910 | 29 | 75% | — | $31,000 |
| 3 | California State University - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,870 | 64 | 53% | — | — |
| 4 | Loyola Marymount University Los Angeles, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $33,647 | 53 | 79% | $36,488 | $26,000 |
| 5 | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $28,107 | 48 | 71% | — | $20,500 |
| 6 | University of Puerto Rico at Cayey Cayey, PR Public · Bachelor's degree | $11,821 | 39 | 50% | — | $5,500 |
| 7 | Daemen University Amherst, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $6,394 | 105 | 59% | $16,826 | $27,000 |
| 8 | Christian Brothers University Memphis, TN Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $33,145 | 5 | 55% | $11,063 | $27,000 |
| 9 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro San Juan, PR Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,631 | 13 | 39% | $10,446 | $16,666 |
| 10 | Dominican University River Forest, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,081 | 15 | 55% | $16,176 | $25,054 |
| 11 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology Harrisburg, PA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $22,252 | 4 | 34% | $14,140 | $27,000 |
Top 2 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massasoit Community College Brockton, MA Public · Associate degree | $29,587 | 22 | 19% | — | $10,129 |
| 2 | Bossier Parish Community College Bossier City, LA Public · Associate degree | $25,713 | 27 | 15% | — | $21,610 |
Specializations within Natural Sciences
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 30.18 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 34 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 4 | $69,242 | Harvard University |
| Pennsylvania | 6 | $45,910 | Temple University |
| California | 7 | $39,870 | California State University - Los Angeles |
| Tennesseelimited | 1 | $33,145 | Christian Brothers University |
| Puerto Rico | 9 | $30,631 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro |
| Kansas | 4 | $28,107 | Kansas State University |
| Illinoislimited | 2 | $27,081 | Dominican University |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | $25,713 | Bossier Parish Community College |
| New York | 7 | $6,394 | Daemen University |
| Alaskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arizona | 13 | — | — |
| Arkansas | 3 | — | — |
| Colorado | 4 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Georgialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Hawaii | 9 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 2 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kentuckylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Minnesota | 3 | — | — |
| Missouri | 3 | — | — |
| Nebraskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Mexicolimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Ohio | 5 | — | — |
| Oklahoma | 4 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texas | 7 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wyoming | 3 | — | — |
| West Virginialimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9121, Natural Sciences Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Natural Sciences program can pursue various careers in research, development, and technical roles. The job outlook for related fields is about as fast as average, with an estimated 8,500 annual openings and a median wage of $161,180. A typical education requirement for these positions is a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Natural Sciences
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.18.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.18 (Natural Sciences) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9121 | Natural Sciences Managersprimary |
| 19-1099 | Life Scientists, All Other |
| 19-2099 | Physical Scientists, All Other |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Natural Sciences programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- 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.
- Review project activities and prepare and review research, testing, or operational reports.
- Confer with scientists, engineers, regulators, or others to plan or review projects or to provide technical assistance.
- Develop client relationships and communicate with clients to explain proposals, present research findings, establish specifications, or discuss project status.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Natural Sciences program?+
The program focuses on the study of natural phenomena through various scientific disciplines.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in science, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with a degree in Natural Sciences?+
You can pursue careers in research, development, and technical roles across various scientific fields.
What is the job outlook for Natural Sciences graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with approximately 8,500 annual openings.
How much do Natural Sciences graduates earn?+
Natural Sciences graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $29,587, College Scorecard (2019); the Natural Sciences Managers occupation pays about $180,250 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Natural Sciences?+
Natural Sciences maps to CIP 30.18 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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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