by our College Data Analytics TeamComputational Science is an interdisciplinary subject that is heavily based around mathematical concepts to solve complex science and engineering problems. This major is constantly changing and developing as technology advances. Students learn how to create mathematical models and perform quantitative analysis on computers to solve and analyze scientific problems.
This major is heavy in mathematics, and also introduces students to the theories and techniques of computation, scientific visualization, grid analysis, and high performance parallel computing. Along with these classes, students will also learn management and leadership skills.
Classes you get expect to take include: engineering, management, computer science, statistics, linear algebra, physics, systems design, mathematics for computer science, and software engineering.
Some concentrations available in this major are Computational Science and Human Computer Interaction. Students may also decide to specialize in basic science or engineering.
Computational Science was the 224th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 1,360 degrees in this year alone. This represents a 12.9% increase in computational science degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 1,184.
Our 2023 Best Computational Science Schools ranking analyzes 25 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for computational science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computational science programs later in this article.
Students should be confident in their math skills. You will be using math in nearly every class. This is a broad major that requires students to make connections between many different disciplines with separate theories and formulas. Students should also enjoy working with computers and technology.
Patience, attention to detail and critical analysis will help you solve complex and tedious problems. This major is well suited to logical students who enjoy problem solving. You will be required to use your reasoning skills to analyze information and notice small mistakes. Strong communication skills will also lead you to success as you work on team or explain your findings in writing.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most computational science degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. In addition to these basic computational science program qualifications, to serve in some computational science careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different computational science degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in computational science to something that takes less time like a . Depending on the computational science degree you choose, obtaining your diploma can take anwhere from 1 to 4+ years.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to computational science, with approximately 57.5% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for computational science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 57.2% |
| Master’s Degree | 20.6% |
| Doctoral Degree | 5.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 4.6% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 3.3% |
Most workers in computational science have at least a bachelor's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in computational science have received.
The education level required is different depending on the computational science career you are seeking.
A degree in Computational Science will provide you with skill sets that will allow you to enter many different career paths. Many employers are searching for workers with advanced math and computer skills. Graduates could find work engineering aircrafts or aerospace structures. Computing is also needed in biology, for gene sequencing and biostatistics. Students can also work as computer developers or software programmers. Determine what interests you most and follow your passion to lead you to a fulfilling career.
Want a job when you graduate with your computational science degree? Computational Science careers are expected to grow 9.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computational science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Workers | 313,800 | 9.3% |
| Professors | 258,700 | 9.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Mathematical Science Occupations | 2,400 | 9.1% |
Recently graduated computational science students earned an average of $69,024 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $57,345 to as high as $80,702. As you might expect, salaries for computational science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for computational science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers computational science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Computer Workers | $93,350 |
| Professors | $76,990 |
With over 139 different computational science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased computational science school rankings to help you with this.
Computational Science is one of 44 different types of Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 34,975 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,075 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,074 |
| International Studies | 7,368 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,330 |
Image Credit: By Yearofthedragon under License More about our data sources and methodologies.
