Entry Level Salary
$50,000
Median Salary
$100,000
Unemployment Rate
4.7%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
25.1%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $4,000,000
Entry (Early)
$50,000
Median (Prime)
$100,000
High (Prime)
$101,295
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
-5k
+405k
+416k
$25k / yr
-95k
+315k
+326k
$50k / yr
-185k
+225k
+236k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
25
25
$25k / yr
Never
29
29
$50k / yr
Never
34
34
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-88%
290%
300%
$50k / yr
-85%
104%
108%
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 Rate41.9%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Management occupations
6.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$99,110
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$101,000|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Postsecondary teachers
3.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$35,397
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$72,032|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Secondary school teachers
3.4% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$52,918
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$81,412|$64,530
openings
72,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -1.6%
Physicians
3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$191,731
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$294,971|N/A
openings
22,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.8%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.8% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$55,455
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$55,455|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Top executives
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$98,138
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$150,981|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Business operations specialists, all other
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$66,723
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$102,650|$81,270
openings
108,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3%
Physical scientists, all other
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$46,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$68,723|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Military Enlisted Tactical Operations and Air/Weapons Specialists and Crew Members
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$50,000|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Engineers, All Other
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$59,652
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$91,000|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
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.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| biological and biomedical sciences, other. | Associate's Degree | 10 | $38,396 - $38,396 |
| biological and biomedical sciences, other. | Bachelor's Degree | 51 | $33,568 - $93,246 |
| biological and biomedical sciences, other. | Master's Degree | 35 | $61,045 - $103,565 |
| biological and biomedical sciences, other. | Doctoral Degree | 31 | $108,414 - $108,414 |
| biological and biomedical sciences, other. | Graduate Certificate | 5 | $64,263 - $64,263 |
| biological and physical sciences. | Undergrad Certificate | 5 | Data N/A |
| biological and physical sciences. | Associate's Degree | 156 | $39,396 - $89,041 |
| biological and physical sciences. | Bachelor's Degree | 109 | $41,759 - $102,801 |
| biological and physical sciences. | Master's Degree | 32 | $57,522 - $125,457 |
| biological and physical sciences. | Doctoral Degree | 13 | Data N/A |
| biological and physical sciences. | Level 99 | 6 | Data N/A |
| physical sciences, other. | Associate's Degree | 4 | Data N/A |
| physical sciences, other. | Bachelor's Degree | 19 | $59,594 - $78,082 |
| physical sciences, other. | Master's Degree | 7 | $80,494 - $80,494 |
| physical sciences, other. | Doctoral Degree | 7 | Data N/A |
| social sciences, other. | Associate's Degree | 8 | $28,986 - $48,893 |
| social sciences, other. | Bachelor's Degree | 100 | $36,895 - $101,138 |
| social sciences, other. | Master's Degree | 26 | $50,531 - $87,609 |
| social sciences, other. | Doctoral Degree | 10 | $73,080 - $73,080 |
| social sciences, other. | Graduate Certificate | 4 | Data N/A |