Natural Sciences programs
CIP 3018 · Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
20 institutions report graduate earnings for Natural Sciences programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $51,768 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38× and 86% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 1 of the 20 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $95,507 n=19 | – | $25,767 | 0.27× | Above +120% | – |
| 2 | Daemen UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $76,980 n=177 | 98% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.35× | Above +102% | Clears 2/2 |
| 3 | Kansas State UniversityKS · Bachelor's | $68,243 n=49 | 84% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.30× | Above +87% | – |
| 4 | Piedmont UniversityGA · Master's | $65,598 n=23 | – | $24,232 | 0.37× | Above +4% | – |
| 5 | Leeward Community CollegeHI · Associate | $64,936 n=26 | 96% 5yr | – | – | Above +59% | Clears 2/2 |
| 6 | Kapiolani Community CollegeHI · Associate | $58,516 n=32 | 96% 5yr | – | – | Above +44% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | Dominican UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $56,555 n=26 | 93% 5yr | $25,109 | 0.44× | Above +50% | Clears 2/2 |
| 8 | Loyola Marymount UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $56,124 n=27 | 92% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.46× | Above +46% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | California State University-ChicoCA · Bachelor's | $55,102 n=17 | – | – | – | Above +43% | – |
| 10 | Massasoit Community CollegeMA · Associate | $53,484 n=100 | 65% | $6,147 | 0.12× | Above +23% | Below 1/2 |
| 11 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsCO · Master's | $50,052 n=16 | – | – | – | Below -26% | – |
| 12 | Logan UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $48,922 n=51 | – | $7,500 | 0.15× | Above +37% | – |
| 13 | Pasadena City CollegeCA · Associate | $47,721 n=68 | 86% 5yr | – | – | Above +24% | – |
| 14 | University of Puerto Rico at CayeyPR · Bachelor's | $42,313 n=70 | 56% 5yr | $5,500 | 0.13× | Above +157% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Bossier Parish Community CollegeLA · Associate | $42,053 n=31 | 55% | $17,499 | 0.42× | Above +21% | Below 1/2 |
| 16 | University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasPR · Bachelor's | $39,675 n=23 | – | – | – | Above +141% | – |
| 17 | Harrisburg University of Science and TechnologyPA · Bachelor's | $38,323 n=23 | 74% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.68× | Above +2% | Below 1/2 |
| 18 | Christian Brothers UniversityTN · Bachelor's | $36,429 n=18 | – | $27,000 | 0.74× | Above +4% | – |
| 19 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-MetroPR · Bachelor's | $36,327 n=26 | – | $13,999 | 0.39× | Above +121% | – |
| 20 | Universidad del Sagrado CorazonPR · Bachelor's | $23,655 n=20 | – | $13,000 | 0.55× | Above +44% | – |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years, the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| California | $55,102 | 3 |
| Puerto Rico | $38,001 | 4 |
States with at least 3 reporting Natural Sciences programs, by median graduate earnings.
Which colleges have the highest-paying Natural Sciences programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Natural Sciences programs in this dataset are Harvard University ($95,507), Daemen University ($76,980), Kansas State University ($68,243). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Natural Sciences programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 1 of the 20 Natural Sciences programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.