Entry Level Salary
$35,397
Median Salary
$112,089
Unemployment Rate
1.9%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
11.6%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,483,560
Entry (Early)
$35,397
Median (Prime)
$112,089
High (Prime)
$123,805
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-137k
+502k
+596k
$25k / yr
-227k
+412k
+506k
$50k / yr
-317k
+323k
+416k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
25
24
$25k / yr
Never
28
27
$50k / yr
Never
31
30
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-209%
379%
466%
$50k / yr
-146%
148%
191%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate65.4%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Physicians
10.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$61,354
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$258,865|N/A
openings
22,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.8%
Physical scientists, all other
9.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$38,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$97,000|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Postsecondary teachers
6.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$35,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,903|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Life scientists
6.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$68,433
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$61,354|$90,500
openings
28,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Management occupations
4.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$45,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$120,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Biological scientists
3.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$46,628
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$82,592|$93,340
openings
10,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.9%
Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
2.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$87,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$91,630|$62,820
openings
10,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.9%
Life, physical, and social science technicians
2.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$32,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$40,000|$55,810
openings
52,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.4%
Mathematical science occupations
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$44,457
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$153,385|$104,620
openings
37,700 /yr
Growth (10yr): +27.1%
Registered nurses
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$83,300
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$83,300|$93,600
openings
189,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.9%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.