by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 309 U.S. colleges awarded 29,811 degrees and certificates in Biological & Physical Sciences. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 84% of graduates. College Factual ranks 200 schools in its 2027 Best Biological & Physical Sciences Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $36,306 one year after completing, rising to $57,074 after four years.
A degree in Biological & Physical Sciences explores Biological And Physical Sciences. A Program That Is Either A General Synthesis Of One Or More Of The Biological And Physical Sciences, Or A Specialization Which Draws From The Biological And Physical Sciences. Examples: [Astrobiology].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., biological & physical sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 29,811 degrees awarded annually. 309 colleges award biological & physical sciences degrees, an average of 96 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 1,279.
By level, the 29,811 awards include 50 certificates, 25,004 associate degrees, 2,330 bachelor’s degrees, 2,345 master’s degrees and 82 doctorates.
Women earned 62% of biological & physical sciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (18,356 of 29,811). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are Hispanic or Latino (11,595) and White (8,787), and international students earned 884.
College Factual ranks 200 schools in its 2027 Best Biological & Physical Sciences Schools ranking, including 155 for associate degrees, 35 for bachelor’s degrees, 8 for master’s degrees and 2 for doctorates. It also ranks biological & physical sciences schools within 19 states. In all, 309 colleges offer biological & physical sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common biological & physical sciences credential is the associate degree: 25,004 of the 29,811 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to biological & physical sciences call most for Active Listening, Reading Comprehension and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Customer and Personal Service and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a biological & physical sciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 50 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 25,004 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,330 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 2,345 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 82 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to biological & physical sciences, at 63.6%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 63.6% |
| Master’s degree | 8.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 4.9% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.6% |
| Some college courses | 3.5% |
| Post-doctoral training | 3.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 2.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
5 occupations are related to Biological & Physical Sciences, with an average median salary of $113,954; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Teacher, Science Teacher, Military Science Instructor and Faculty Member.
The occupation related to biological & physical sciences with the most projected jobs is Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, at 964,215.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Biological & Physical Sciences graduates earn a median $36,306 one year after completing their program, $57,074 after four years and $56,049 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $36,306 |
| 4 years | $57,074 |
| 5 years | $56,049 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to biological & physical sciences is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
