Best colleges for Science Technologies/Technicians
A general program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in support of scientific research and development.
19 U.S. institutions graduated 155 Science Technologies/Technicians students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 41.0000, a specialization of Science Technologies/Technicians (CIP 41.00), and leads most directly to the Hydrologic Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4044).
About Science Technologies/Technicians programs
A general program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in support of scientific research and development. Includes instruction in standard laboratory practices and procedures; techniques for analysis, testing and inspection; laboratory instrumentation and equipment operation and maintenance; laboratory and materials handling safety; and computer applications.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Science Technologies/Technicians program offers a comprehensive education for individuals interested in applying scientific principles and technical skills in support of scientific research and development. This program is ideal for those looking to work in laboratory settings, where they can contribute to various scientific fields through hands-on experience and technical expertise.
Students will gain knowledge in standard laboratory practices, techniques for analysis and testing, operation and maintenance of laboratory equipment, and safety protocols. Coursework may also cover computer applications relevant to scientific research.
Credentials awarded
What Science Technologies/Technicians graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree72 graduates / yr · 6 institutions47%
- Bachelor's degree41 graduates / yr · 6 institutions27%
- Master's degree20 graduates / yr · 1 institution13%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year10 graduates / yr · 4 institutions6.5%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years8 graduates / yr · 2 institutions5.2%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship4 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.6%
Graduates over time
Science Technologies/Technicians completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 60 |
| 2013 | 59 |
| 2014 | 82 |
| 2015 | 91 |
| 2016 | 119 |
| 2017 | 95 |
| 2018 | 127 |
| 2019 | 176 |
| 2020 | 90 |
| 2021 | 60 |
| 2022 | 82 |
| 2023 | 87 |
| 2024 | 99 |
| 2025 | 155 |
Top 19 institutions for Science Technologies/Technicians, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Basin College Elko, NVPublicAssociate's | 30 | 41% | — |
| 2 | Purdue University Fort Wayne Fort Wayne, INPublicAssociate's | 29 | 36% | — |
| 3 | University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicBachelor's | 24 | 51% | — |
| 4 | SUNY Buffalo State University Buffalo, NYPublicMaster's | 20 | 33% | — |
| 5 | Baylor University Waco, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 7 | 80% | $35,682 |
| 6 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 53% | — |
| 7 | Delgado Community College New Orleans, LAPublicAssociate's | 5 | 24% | — |
| 8 | Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MNPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 40% | — |
| 9 | Houston Christian University Houston, TXPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 49% | $21,247 |
| 10 | Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, MIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 51% | — |
| 11 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 4 | 65% | — |
| 12 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce Mercedita, PRPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 4 | 41% | $9,980 |
| 13 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor's | 3 | 68% | — |
| 14 | Rochester Institute of Technology Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 3 | 70% | $28,133 |
| 15 | Tompkins Cortland Community College Dryden, NYPublicAssociate's | 2 | 26% | — |
| 16 | Klamath Community College Klamath Falls, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 43% | — |
| 17 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 40% | — |
| 18 | Keene State College Keene, NHPublicBachelor's | 1 | 60% | — |
| 19 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor's | 1 | 0% | — |
Offered in 13 states & territories
Where Science Technologies/Technicians graduates come from. Each state links to all Science Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | 2 | 54 | Great Basin College30 / yr |
| Indiana | 2 | 30 | Purdue University Fort Wayne29 / yr |
| New York | 3 | 25 | SUNY Buffalo State University20 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 12 | Baylor University7 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 5 | Georgia State University5 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 5 | Delgado Community College5 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 5 | Saint Paul College5 / yr |
| Arizona | 2 | 4 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion3 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 4 | Lake Superior State University4 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 4 | Fox Valley Technical College4 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 1 | 4 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce4 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 2 | Klamath Community College2 / yr |
| New Hampshire | 1 | 1 | Keene State College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4044, Hydrologic Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Science Technologies/Technicians program can pursue careers as Hydrologic Technicians and other related roles. The job outlook indicates a decline of 2.1%, with approximately 400 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $58,570, with an Associate's degree typically required for entry-level roles.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 41.0000
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hydrologic Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4044 | $64,790 | -2.1% Decline | ~400 | Associate's degree |
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other SOC 19-4099 | $62,280 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~10,600 | Associate's degree |
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians SOC 19-4043 | $53,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~1,300 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Science Technologies/Technicians programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
What graduates do on the job
- Analyze ecological data about the impact of pollution, erosion, floods, and other environmental problems on bodies of water.
- Answer technical questions from hydrologists, policymakers, or other customers developing water conservation plans.
- Apply research findings to minimize the environmental impacts of pollution, waterborne diseases, erosion, or sedimentation.
- Assist in designing programs to ensure the proper sealing of abandoned wells.
- Collect water and soil samples to test for physical, chemical, or biological properties, such as pH, oxygen level, temperature, and pollution.
- Develop computer models for hydrologic predictions.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What types of degrees are offered in this program?+
Degrees include Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's degrees, as well as shorter awards.
What are some common careers for graduates?+
Common careers include Hydrologic Technicians and various types of science technicians.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will learn laboratory practices, analysis techniques, equipment operation, and safety procedures.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 2.1%, with around 400 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Science Technologies/Technicians?+
Science Technologies/Technicians is CIP 41.0000 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Science Technologies/Technicians (CIP 41.00). NCES defines it as: A general program that prepares individuals to apply scientific principles and technical skills in support of scientific research and development. Includes instruction in standard laboratory practices and procedures; techniques for analysis, testing and inspection; laboratory instrumentation and equipment operation and maintenance; laboratory and materials handling safety; and computer applications.
How many institutions offer Science Technologies/Technicians programs?+
19 U.S. institutions reported Science Technologies/Technicians graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 13 states & territories, awarding 155 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Science Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Science Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Hydrologic Technicians occupation, which Science Technologies/Technicians most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,790 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Science Technologies/Technicians graduates, so its figures match the Science Technologies/Technicians program page.
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