Best colleges for Science
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Science by graduate earnings are James Madison University ($54,235), Stanford University ($44,736) and North Carolina State University at Raleigh ($43,150), 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%.
- James Madison University (Harrisonburg, VA): $54,235, 61 graduates a year
- Stanford University (Stanford, CA): $44,736, 74 graduates a year
- North Carolina State University at Raleigh (Raleigh, NC): $43,150, 52 graduates a year
- Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA): $40,297, 49 graduates a year
- Arizona State University Campus Immersion (Tempe, AZ): $39,993, 28 graduates a year
Compare 46 U.S. colleges offering Science by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 26 states.
Science programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,150 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 30.15 and the Natural Sciences Managers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Science programs
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 understanding how science influences everyday life and the ethical implications of technological progress. Students will engage with various scientific disciplines while considering social, cultural, and ethical contexts.
In this program, students will develop essential skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication. Coursework typically includes topics in biology, chemistry, and the study of formal and natural sciences, equipping students with a broad knowledge base applicable to various fields.
Top 8 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 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,235 | 61 | 80% | — | $23,875 |
| 2 | Stanford University Stanford, CA Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $44,736 | 74 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 3 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,150 | 52 | 85% | — | $24,000 |
| 4 | Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,297 | 49 | 94% | — | $24,125 |
| 5 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,993 | 28 | 68% | — | $15,000 |
| 6 | Farmingdale State College Farmingdale, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $31,638 | 207 | 53% | — | $18,006 |
| 7 | Georgetown University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $51,399 | 2 | 95% | $22,242 | $13,250 |
| 8 | Vassar College Poughkeepsie, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $27,215 | 18 | 91% | $29,107 | $18,593 |
Specializations within Science
1 of the 1 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 30.15 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 26 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 3 | $54,235 | James Madison University |
| District of Columbialimited | 1 | $51,399 | Georgetown University |
| California | 6 | $44,736 | Stanford University |
| North Carolinalimited | 1 | $43,150 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh |
| Georgialimited | 1 | $40,297 | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| Arizonalimited | 2 | $39,993 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion |
| New York | 5 | $31,638 | Farmingdale State College |
| Alabamalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Illinoislimited | 1 | — | — |
| Kansaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Mainelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Massachusettslimited | 2 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Missourilimited | 2 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Oklahomalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 2 | — | — |
| Rhode Islandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Tennesseelimited | 2 | — | — |
| Washington | 3 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 2 | — | — |
| Wyominglimited | 1 | — | — |
| Indianalimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9121, Natural Sciences Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Science, Technology and Society program can pursue careers in research, development, and management roles across multiple sectors. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an estimated 8,500 annual openings and a median wage of $161,180, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Science
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 30.15.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 30.15 (Science, Technology and Society) maps to 2 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 |
| 25-1199 | Postsecondary Teachers, All Other |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Science 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 Science, Technology and Society program?+
The program focuses on the interplay between scientific advancements, technology, and their societal impacts.
What skills will I gain from this program?+
Students will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What are the career prospects after graduation?+
Graduates can expect about 8,500 annual job openings with a median wage of $161,180.
What level of education is typically required?+
A bachelor's degree is typically required for careers in this field.
How much do Science graduates earn?+
Science graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,150, 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 Science?+
Science maps to CIP 30.15 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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