Entry Level Salary
$33,765
Median Salary
$93,211
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
32.4%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,728,440
Entry (Early)
$33,765
Median (Prime)
$93,211
High (Prime)
$103,000
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
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
-152k
+350k
+429k
$25k / yr
-242k
+260k
+339k
$50k / yr
-332k
+170k
+249k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
26
25
$25k / yr
Never
30
29
$50k / yr
Never
36
33
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-222%
239%
312%
$50k / yr
-153%
78%
115%
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 with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate42.5%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Management occupations
6.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$48,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$135,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Postsecondary teachers
6.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$24,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$54,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Physical scientists, all other
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$34,361
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,000|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Elementary and middle school teachers
3.3% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$54,000|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Secondary school teachers
2.6% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$46,708
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,409|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Biological scientists
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$40,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$48,397|$93,340
openings
10,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.9%
Teaching assistants
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$34,000|$35,550
openings
195,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): -0.9%
Military Officer Special and Tactical Operations Leaders
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$35,400
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$117,988|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Management analysts
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$116,620
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$116,620|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%
Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
1.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$41,296
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$100,290|$198,100
openings
18,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.3%
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.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| marine sciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 2 | $45,771 - $55,546 |