Best Natural Sciences Manager programs in Virginia, ranked by enrollment
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these.
57 schools in Virginia run programs that feed this job, graduating 8,169 people a year. The job pays a median of $150,570 in Virginia across about 1,470 jobs (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Fields of study in Virginia that lead to this job
Grouped at the 4-digit CIP level. Numbers are graduates per year in this state.
61 programs in Virginia that lead to this job
Ranked by graduates per year in Virginia (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 Virginia page.
| # | Program | Graduates / yr | Share of pipeline | Schools | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CIP 26.0101In Virginia → | 2,726 | 33.4% | 39 | $32,152 | $25,000 |
| 2 | Biological and Physical Sciencesmain feeder CIP 30.0101In Virginia → | 1,082 | 13.2% | 24 | $28,446 | $11,000 |
| 3 | CIP 40.0501In Virginia → | 625 | 7.7% | 31 | $42,620 | $23,900 |
| 4 | CIP 27.0101In Virginia → | 439 | 5.4% | 30 | $48,772 | $21,544 |
| 5 | CIP 26.1501In Virginia → | 389 | 4.8% | 9 | $31,687 | $22,936 |
| 6 | CIP 30.7001In Virginia → | 368 | 4.5% | 7 | — | — |
| 7 | CIP 40.0801In Virginia → | 348 | 4.3% | 22 | $47,156 | $23,490 |
| 8 | CIP 26.0202In Virginia → | 236 | 2.9% | 15 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 9 | CIP 27.0501In Virginia → | 229 | 2.8% | 4 | $59,718 | $20,150 |
| 10 | Physical Sciences, Generalmain feeder CIP 40.0101In Virginia → | 187 | 2.3% | 1 | $27,007 | $9,000 |
| 11 | CIP 26.9999In Virginia → | 155 | 1.9% | 4 | $31,278 | $23,000 |
| 12 | CIP 27.0305In Virginia → | 153 | 1.9% | 4 | $60,930 | $21,143 |
| 13 | CIP 30.0801In Virginia → | 127 | 1.6% | 4 | $89,651 | $23,175 |
| 14 | CIP 40.0601In Virginia → | 114 | 1.4% | 6 | $39,678 | $24,864 |
| 15 | CIP 30.3301In Virginia → | 111 | 1.4% | 6 | $37,223 | $20,968 |
| 16 | Science, Technology and Societymain feeder CIP 30.1501In Virginia → | 85 | 1.0% | 3 | $44,736 | $18,593 |
| 17 | CIP 27.0301In Virginia → | 67 | 0.8% | 6 | $60,930 | $21,143 |
| 18 | CIP 30.1901In Virginia → | 56 | 0.7% | 1 | $30,508 | $24,586 |
| 19 | CIP 40.9999In Virginia → | 43 | 0.5% | 3 | $47,513 | $24,000 |
| 20 | CIP 30.4401In Virginia → | 42 | 0.5% | 3 | — | — |
| 21 | Biotechnologymain feeder CIP 26.1201In Virginia → | 41 | 0.5% | 2 | $49,023 | $21,309 |
| 22 | CIP 30.2701In Virginia → | 40 | 0.5% | 1 | $31,690 | $17,312 |
| 23 | CIP 40.0404In Virginia → | 35 | 0.4% | 1 | $41,430 | $25,500 |
| 24 | CIP 40.0699In Virginia → | 34 | 0.4% | 2 | $39,678 | $24,864 |
| 25 | CIP 26.0205In Virginia → | 33 | 0.4% | 1 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 26 | CIP 40.0201In Virginia → | 32 | 0.4% | 2 | $39,728 | $24,678 |
| 27 | CIP 26.1302In Virginia → | 27 | 0.3% | 2 | $29,460 | $23,480 |
| 28 | CIP 26.0406In Virginia → | 26 | 0.3% | 1 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 29 | CIP 26.0503In Virginia → | 26 | 0.3% | 2 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 30 | CIP 26.0599In Virginia → | 24 | 0.3% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 31 | CIP 27.0601In Virginia → | 24 | 0.3% | 1 | — | — |
| 32 | CIP 26.0502In Virginia → | 23 | 0.3% | 1 | $38,383 | $22,065 |
| 33 | CIP 26.1101In Virginia → | 22 | 0.3% | 1 | $72,338 | $18,500 |
| 34 | CIP 27.0503In Virginia → | 21 | 0.3% | 1 | $59,718 | $20,150 |
| 35 | CIP 51.2006In Virginia → | 21 | 0.3% | 1 | $48,728 | $23,761 |
| 36 | CIP 40.0401In Virginia → | 16 | 0.2% | 1 | $41,430 | $25,500 |
| 37 | CIP 26.0305In Virginia → | 13 | 0.2% | 1 | $33,009 | $21,975 |
| 38 | CIP 40.0899In Virginia → | 13 | 0.2% | 3 | $47,156 | $23,490 |
| 39 | CIP 30.2501In Virginia → | 12 | 0.1% | 2 | $41,362 | $17,750 |
| 40 | CIP 40.0605In Virginia → | 10 | 0.1% | 1 | $39,678 | $24,864 |
| 41 | Natural Sciencesmain feeder CIP 30.1801In Virginia → | 9 | 0.1% | 1 | $29,587 | $21,610 |
| 42 | CIP 14.1201In Virginia → | 9 | 0.1% | 3 | $57,457 | $24,706 |
| 43 | CIP 26.0701In Virginia → | 9 | 0.1% | 1 | $28,266 | $24,393 |
| 44 | CIP 30.1001In Virginia → | 8 | 0.1% | 1 | $43,343 | $22,125 |
| 45 | CIP 26.1001In Virginia → | 7 | 0.1% | 2 | $39,202 | $18,000 |
| 46 | CIP 26.1102In Virginia → | 7 | 0.1% | 2 | $72,338 | $18,500 |
| 47 | CIP 26.0702In Virginia → | 6 | 0.1% | 1 | $28,266 | $24,393 |
| 48 | CIP 26.0403In Virginia → | 5 | 0.1% | 2 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 49 | CIP 27.9999In Virginia → | 5 | 0.1% | 1 | $59,063 | $21,500 |
| 50 | CIP 40.0607In Virginia → | 5 | 0.1% | 1 | $39,678 | $24,864 |
| 51 | CIP 14.3701In Virginia → | 4 | 0.0% | 1 | $92,531 | $15,000 |
| 52 | CIP 26.0910In Virginia → | 4 | 0.0% | 1 | $31,146 | $23,384 |
| 53 | CIP 26.0203In Virginia → | 3 | 0.0% | 1 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 54 | CIP 26.0210In Virginia → | 3 | 0.0% | 1 | $38,243 | $23,014 |
| 55 | CIP 26.0401In Virginia → | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | $35,393 | $19,961 |
| 56 | CIP 26.1104In Virginia → | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | $72,338 | $18,500 |
| 57 | CIP 52.0216In Virginia → | 2 | 0.0% | 1 | $43,506 | $25,000 |
| 58 | CIP 26.0807In Virginia → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $31,800 | $21,424 |
| 59 | CIP 26.1301In Virginia → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $29,460 | $23,480 |
| 60 | CIP 30.3001In Virginia → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $50,745 | $27,000 |
| 61 | CIP 40.0802In Virginia → | 1 | 0.0% | 1 | $47,156 | $23,490 |
Top 25 schools in Virginia
Ranked by graduates per year into this job. Graduate earnings are reported for 31 of the 57 schools in this state.
| # | School | Graduates / yr | Top feeder program | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Grad rate | Net price | Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · 21 feeder programs | 1,330 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $28,239 | 86% | — | 55% |
| 2 | University of Virginia - Main Campus Charlottesville, VA Public · 17 feeder programs | 1,034 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $23,395 | 96% | — | 17% |
| 3 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · 23 feeder programs | 837 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $34,719 | 68% | — | 87% |
| 4 | William & Mary Williamsburg, VA Public · 11 feeder programs | 614 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $29,851 | 89% | — | 34% |
| 5 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA Public · 16 feeder programs | 586 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $31,149 | 63% | — | 93% |
| 6 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · 8 feeder programs | 389 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $34,159 | 80% | — | 72% |
| 7 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VA Private not-for-profit · 12 feeder programs | 350 | Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | — | 65% | $28,911 | 99% |
| 8 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA Public · 14 feeder programs | 334 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $28,953 | 46% | — | 90% |
| 9 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale, VA Public · 2 feeder programs | 330 | Biological and Physical Sciences | $21,923 | 33% | — | — |
| 10 | Richard Bland College South Prince George, VA Public · 3 feeder programs | 208 | Physical Sciences, General | $20,219 | 9% | — | 89% |
| 11 | Christopher Newport University Newport News, VA Public · 5 feeder programs | 188 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $30,287 | 72% | — | 86% |
| 12 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 152 | Biological and Physical Sciences | $30,605 | 32% | — | — |
| 13 | Laurel Ridge Community College Middletown, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 144 | Biological and Physical Sciences | $37,850 | 45% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Richmond University of Richmond, VA Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 136 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $36,300 | 85% | $24,049 | 22% |
| 15 | University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VA Public · 5 feeder programs | 123 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $35,194 | 66% | — | 80% |
| 16 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 118 | Biological and Physical Sciences | $23,059 | 32% | — | — |
| 17 | Washington and Lee University Lexington, VA Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 88 | Neuroscience | — | 94% | $11,983 | 14% |
| 18 | Virginia Peninsula Community College Hampton, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 84 | Biological and Physical Sciences | $25,468 | 34% | — | — |
| 19 | Virginia Western Community College Roanoke, VA Public · 1 feeder programs | 70 | Biological and Physical Sciences | $27,786 | 40% | — | — |
| 20 | Brightpoint Community College Chester, VA Public · 2 feeder programs | 66 | Biological and Physical Sciences | — | 38% | — | — |
| 21 | Radford University Radford, VA Public · 5 feeder programs | 65 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $32,457 | 49% | — | 90% |
| 22 | Norfolk State University Norfolk, VA Public · 5 feeder programs | 62 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | — | 38% | — | 88% |
| 23 | Randolph - Macon College Ashland, VA Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 56 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $33,361 | 70% | $26,498 | 87% |
| 24 | Virginia Wesleyan University Virginia Beach, VA Private not-for-profit · 7 feeder programs | 56 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $30,921 | 42% | $20,171 | 73% |
| 25 | Virginia Military Institute Lexington, VA Public · 4 feeder programs | 54 | Biology/Biological Sciences, General | $43,797 | 76% | — | 71% |
All 57 schools in Virginia
Every school in Virginia 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.
| School | City | Control | Graduates / yr | Feeder programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University | Blacksburg | Public | 1,330 | 21 |
| University of Virginia - Main Campus | Charlottesville | Public | 1,034 | 17 |
| George Mason University | Fairfax | Public | 837 | 23 |
| William & Mary | Williamsburg | Public | 614 | 11 |
| Virginia Commonwealth University | Richmond | Public | 586 | 16 |
| James Madison University | Harrisonburg | Public | 389 | 8 |
| Liberty University | Lynchburg | Private not-for-profit | 350 | 12 |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk | Public | 334 | 14 |
| Northern Virginia Community College | Annandale | Public | 330 | 2 |
| Richard Bland College | South Prince George | Public | 208 | 3 |
| Christopher Newport University | Newport News | Public | 188 | 5 |
| Tidewater Community College | Norfolk | Public | 152 | 1 |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | Middletown | Public | 144 | 1 |
| University of Richmond | University of Richmond | Private not-for-profit | 136 | 7 |
| University of Mary Washington | Fredericksburg | Public | 123 | 5 |
What natural sciences managers earn in Virginia
What people already working in this job earn (BLS OEWS May 2025). Not graduate earnings.
U.S. median $167,220. Virginia pays below the national figure.
1.00× means the state has its expected share of these jobs.
Metro areas in Virginia
Job outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections, 2024 to 2034.
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
The same job in other states
Where else this occupation employs the most people, and what it pays there.
Related careers in Virginia
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 Virginia.
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 2,726 degrees in Virginia in 2024-25, 33.4% 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 61 programs to this occupation. The largest are Biology, Biological and Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, plus 38 more. Together they graduate about 8,169 people a year in Virginia.
How much do natural sciences managers earn in Virginia?+
The median is $150,570 a year (BLS OEWS May 2025). That is 10.0% 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 Virginia?+
57 institutions in Virginia reported graduates from at least one of the 61 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 2025Wages, employment counts, location quotients and metro breakdowns.
BLS Employment Projections
2024–34Projected 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 cohortsMedian graduate earnings one year after completion, and median debt.
Census Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes
latest availableGraduate earnings 1/5/10 years out, where the state participates.
NCES CIP 2020 and the CIP-to-SOC 2018 crosswalk
CIP 2020 / SOC 2018Which college programs officially lead to this occupation.
O*NET Database 30.3
30.3Tasks, skills, knowledge, tools, job zone and alternate job titles.
Official source →CC BY 4.0, U.S. Department of Labor / ETA
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card