Virginia · Science

Best colleges for Science in Virginia

Ranked by graduate earnings

James Madison University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and George Mason University award the most Science degrees and certificates in Virginia: 61, 17 and 7 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 3 Virginia colleges offer Science and award 85 degrees and certificates a year in all.

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…

Institutions
3
offering CIP 30.15
States offered
26
with a program page
Degrees / yr
85
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$54,235
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
—
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
78%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Natural Sciences Managers
$150,440
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1James Madison University
Harrisonburg Public · Bachelor's degree
$54,2356180%—$23,875

Colleges awarding the most Science degrees in Virginia

Top 3 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1James Madison University
Harrisonburg Public
61$54,235
2Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Blacksburg Public
17Not reported
3George Mason University
Fairfax Public
7Not reported

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Natural Sciences Managers (SOC 11-9121).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.7%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~8,500
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$161,180
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

ScienceActive ListeningMonitoringCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionWriting

What Natural Sciences Managers earn in Virginia

Jobs in Virginia
1,470
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$150,440
median $150,570
Best-paying metro
$134,740
Richmond, VA

Related careers

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Science programs in Virginia.

Which Virginia colleges award the most Science degrees?+

James Madison University (61 graduates a year), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (17 graduates a year) and George Mason University (7 graduates a year) award the most Science degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 3 Virginia colleges offer Science.

Which Science program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, James Madison University tops the list at $54,235. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Natural Sciences Managers earn in Virginia?+

The average annual wage for Natural Sciences Managers in Virginia is $150,440 (median $150,570), across about 1,470 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

What is the focus of the Science program?+

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…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop science, active listening, monitoring, critical thinking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Natural Sciences Managers?+

The national job outlook is about +3.7% growth with around 8,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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