Natural Sciences
Salary data, best schools, and honest ROI assessment
Earnings Range (4 Years After Graduation)
Best Schools for Natural Sciences by Earnings
| # | School | 4yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University MA · Private | $95,507 |
| 2 | Daemen University NY · Private | $76,980 |
| 3 | Kansas State University KS · Public | $68,243 |
| 4 | Dominican University IL · Private | $56,555 |
| 5 | Loyola Marymount University CA · Private | $56,124 |
| 6 | California State University-Chico CA · Public | $55,102 |
| 7 | Logan University MO · Private | $48,922 |
| 8 | University of Puerto Rico at Cayey PR · Public | $42,313 |
| 9 | University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras PR · Public | $39,675 |
| 10 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology PA · Private | $38,323 |
| 11 | Christian Brothers University TN · Private | $36,429 |
| 12 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro PR · Private | $36,327 |
| 13 | Universidad del Sagrado Corazon PR · Private | $23,655 |
School-by-school analysis: Natural Sciences
Editorial breakdowns of how natural sciences graduates fare at the top-earning programs in our dataset.
Natural Sciences is essentially Logan's only reportable bachelor's program, with 28 graduates per year. Median four-year earnings of $48,922 against just $14,000 of debt produce a 0.286 debt-to-earnings ratio and a B+ ROI grade. First-year earnings are not reported. The low debt is striking -- this likely reflects Logan's tuition modesty plus the fact that many students complete the bachelor's quickly as a doctoral prerequisite. For students continuing to Logan's chiropractic doctoral program, this bachelor's track is a defensible pathway with manageable debt.
Natural Sciences (70 graduates) is a sibling track to Biology with similar 4-year earnings ($42,313) but a weaker C+ ROI grade because debt-to-earnings climbs to 0.465. Same career patterns: graduate school is largely the path to higher earnings. The C+ grade signals that students borrowing the typical $5,500 here may feel debt pressure if they enter the workforce directly rather than continuing into a professional program.
Natural Sciences produces 13 graduates per year with year-one earnings of just $22,252 and four-year earnings of $38,323 -- a weak trajectory. Median debt of $27,000 produces a 1.213 debt-to-earnings ratio and an F ROI grade. The major's outcomes signal students typically need graduate school to reach competitive lab/research wages, and the early-career data reflects those still transitioning. Prospective students should plan on continuing education or pivot to the CS track for stronger immediate outcomes.
Is Natural Sciences Worth It?
Proceed With a Plan
The financial returns for Natural Sciences are below average. At $34,364 in average earnings four years out, graduates often face a long payback period, especially at higher-cost institutions. This doesn't mean the field is worthless - it means the financial math demands careful attention to school cost and debt levels.
This is a more specialized field, offered at 15 schools in our dataset. Fewer options means less room to optimize on cost, so pay close attention to the financial aid packages you receive.
The top school for this major by earnings is Harvard University, where graduates earn $69,242 four years out. But averages hide a wide range - where you attend and what you do with the degree matter as much as the major itself.
Earnings data represents median earnings 4 years after graduation for graduates of bachelor's programs, as reported by the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Individual outcomes vary significantly based on career path, location, and other factors.