by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 114 U.S. colleges awarded 3,002 degrees and certificates in Natural Sciences. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 40% of graduates. College Factual ranks 47 schools in its 2027 Best Natural Sciences Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $28,047 one year after completing, rising to $56,767 after four years.
Students who love all types of science may consider a major in Natural Sciences. This involves the study of biology, chemistry, environmental studies, and physics. You will become scientifically literate and will participate in innovative research.
This is a challenging major. Be prepared to take classes in advanced mathematics and learn complex scientific formulas. This major involves learning a broad range of material; students will need to connect information from a variety of subjects.
Courses in Natural Sciences will include: chemistry, biology, environmental studies, physics, astronomy, botany, geology, ecology, microbiology, and zoology.
A major in Natural Sciences explores Natural Sciences.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, natural sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 3,002 degrees awarded annually. 114 colleges award natural sciences degrees, an average of 26 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 491.
By level, the 3,002 awards include 868 certificates, 1,200 associate degrees, 819 bachelor’s degrees, 107 master’s degrees and 8 doctorates.
Women earned 60% of natural sciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,787 of 3,002). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,139) and Hispanic or Latino (1,057), and international students earned 62.
College Factual ranks 47 schools in its 2027 Best Natural Sciences Schools ranking, including 16 for associate degrees, 19 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks natural sciences schools within 16 states. In all, 114 colleges offer natural sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Natural Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common natural sciences credential is the associate degree: 1,200 of the 3,002 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to natural sciences call most for Reading Comprehension, Active Listening and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Customer and Personal Service and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Deductive Reasoning, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
This major allows you to dive deeply into the topic of natural sciences. Students will be required to juggle labs, readings, research, and attending lectures. Classes will require self-motivation as well as the ability to work with others. Your math and computer skills will be used often as you work through difficult problems, record and interpret your data.
Your assignments will require you to apply different theories to real life situations. You will develop enhanced critical thinking and analytical skills in order to evaluate your work and results. Students are required to communicate findings in oral presentations and written reports. This will require logical reasoning as well as flexibility and creativity.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a natural sciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 868 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1,200 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 819 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 107 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 8 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to natural sciences, at 54.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 54.7% |
| Master’s degree | 13.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.3% |
| Some college courses | 5.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 4.8% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Natural Sciences, with an average median salary of $105,036; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Flight Simulator Teacher, Adjunct Instructor, Associate Professor and Flight Simulation Instructor.
A degree in Natural Sciences will prepare you for a career in a myriad of occupations. Graduates find work as a researcher, lab technician or consultant in the areas of science education, science journalism, or public health. A foundation in Natural Sciences will also allow you to go into pharmacy, medicine, law, dental, or nursing. Some of these career paths will require you to continue your education.
The occupation related to natural 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% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | 188,913 | 7.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Life Scientists, All Other | 151,522 | -2.5% |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | 88,872 | 5.3% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
Natural Sciences graduates earn a median $28,047 one year after completing their program, $56,767 after four years and $60,612 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,047 |
| 4 years | $56,767 |
| 5 years | $60,612 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to natural 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 |
| Life Scientists, All Other | $97,541 |
| Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | $73,261 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other | $72,607 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
Natural Sciences includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Natural Sciences (3,002). It has 48 similar majors in the Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies field, which together award 147,420 degrees a year; the largest are Biological and Physical Sciences (29,811), Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (29,665) and Data Analytics (17,572). Browse all Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences | 3,002 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 29,811 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 29,665 |
| Data Analytics | 17,572 |
| Data Science | 11,772 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 11,175 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 6,906 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,644 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,569 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,567 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,911 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
