Biological and Physical Sciences Degree

26 schools compared · Average earnings $36,628/yr

Students study an integrated curriculum combining biology, chemistry, physics, and earth sciences, providing a broad foundation in the natural sciences. Graduates typically pursue careers in science education, laboratory research, environmental consulting, and healthcare preparation, or continue to professional programs in medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy. This major is ideal for students who want a well-rounded scientific education without narrowing to a single discipline.

What Biological and Physical Sciences Graduates Do

Your degree opens two primary doors: the classroom and the laboratory. Many graduates become secondary school teachers, where your day involves more than lectures. You'll plan hands-on labs, grade assignments, and manage the dynamics of a classroom full of students. This path, while common, is currently facing slight hiring headwinds. The other route, often requiring an advanced degree, starts with hands-on research.

After years at the lab bench, you can progress into a natural sciences manager position. Here, your focus shifts from conducting experiments to leading them—you'll manage budgets, oversee project timelines, and mentor a team of scientists. This management track is the fastest-growing and highest-earning path. A career as a postsecondary teacher, combining research with university-level instruction, offers another path with steady growth.

With moderate AI exposure, these roles are changing, not disappearing. Expect AI to automate routine tasks like initial data analysis or drafting lesson plans. This frees you to focus on what matters: strategic research decisions, hands-on student mentoring, and complex problem-solving. Adaptability is key, as your value will lie in leveraging these tools effectively.

Schools Offering
26
Avg Grad Earnings
$36,628/yr
Avg DegreeOutlook Score
41/100
AI Automation Risk
Moderate
39% task exposure

Common Career Paths

Where Biological and Physical Sciences graduates typically work, ranked by salary. Salary ranges show 25th–75th percentile spread. This field has roughly 88,200 combined openings per year.

Career Path Salary Range Openings/yr Growth AI Risk
Natural sciences managers
$161,180
$114K$215K
8,500 +3.7% 50%
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
$56K$123K
13,500 +1.8% 0%
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
$64,580
$58K$83K
66,200 -1.6% 33%
Natural sciences managers
$161,180
$114K $215K
8,500 openings/yr +3.7% growth 50% AI risk
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
$56K $123K
13,500 openings/yr +1.8% growth 0% AI risk
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
$64,580
$58K $83K
66,200 openings/yr -1.6% growth 33% AI risk

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. Salary range shows 25th–median–75th percentile (national).

Best Schools for Biological and Physical Sciences

Top 20 of 26 schools ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any row for full AI scenario analysis and earnings projections.

# School DW Score Earnings ROI
1 Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, NJ
70
69–70
$69,480/yr 26.3x
2 Washington State University
Pullman, WA
57
57–58
$46,288/yr 12.3x
3 CUNY Hunter College
New York, NY
55
59–55
$36,362/yr 23.2x
4 University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN
54
54–55
$75,418/yr 2.4x
5 Portland State University
Portland, OR
51
54–51
$37,419/yr 13.6x
6 University of Houston-Downtown
Houston, TX
51
55–51
$35,952/yr 18.7x
7 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR
50
53–51
$38,285/yr 10.6x
8 Indiana University-Kokomo
Kokomo, IN
46
47–47
$41,561/yr 11.7x
9 University of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK
46
52–47
$32,699/yr 18.4x
10 Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI
43
43–43
$44,525/yr 7.0x
11 University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg
Greensburg, PA
43
48–44
$34,380/yr 10.0x
12 University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
Johnstown, PA
43
48–44
$34,380/yr 10.0x
13 Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN
43
49–44
$31,125/yr 14.7x
14 Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus
Indiana, PA
42
48–43
$25,311/yr 14.9x
15 Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA
41
45–42
$36,709/yr 7.7x
16 University of Georgia
Athens, GA
40
46–41
$25,508/yr 13.9x
17 University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA
39
45–40
$34,380/yr 6.5x
18 New College of Florida
Sarasota, FL
37
42–37
$32,858/yr 10.9x
19 Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY
33
36–34
$39,296/yr 0.5x
20 The Evergreen State College
Olympia, WA
32
38–33
$27,555/yr 11.6x

Highest Earning Biological and Physical Sciences Programs

Schools where Biological and Physical Sciences graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.

School 1-Year Earnings DW Score
University of Notre Dame $75,418/yr 54
Thomas Edison State University $69,480/yr 70
Washington State University $46,288/yr 57
Grand Valley State University $44,525/yr 43
Indiana University-Kokomo $41,561/yr 46
Bard College $39,296/yr 33
University of Oregon $38,285/yr 50
Portland State University $37,419/yr 51
Virginia Commonwealth University $36,709/yr 41
CUNY Hunter College $36,362/yr 55

Best ROI for Biological and Physical Sciences

Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Biological and Physical Sciences.

School ROI Multiple Earnings DW Score
Thomas Edison State University 26.3x $69,480/yr 70
CUNY Hunter College 23.2x $36,362/yr 55
University of Houston-Downtown 18.7x $35,952/yr 51
University of Alaska Anchorage 18.4x $32,699/yr 46
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus 14.9x $25,311/yr 42
Middle Tennessee State University 14.7x $31,125/yr 43
University of Georgia 13.9x $25,508/yr 40
Portland State University 13.6x $37,419/yr 51
Washington State University 12.3x $46,288/yr 57
Indiana University-Kokomo 11.7x $41,561/yr 46
Want to compare two Biological and Physical Sciences programs side by side? Use the comparison tool →

Related Majors

Explore similar fields of study.

Consider the Trade Route

Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Biological and Physical Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Biological and Physical Sciences graduates earn?
Across 26 schools, Biological and Physical Sciences graduates earn an average of $36,628 per year in their first year after graduation. Earnings range from $22,631 to $75,418 depending on the school.
What is the AI automation risk for Biological and Physical Sciences?
Biological and Physical Sciences is rated "Moderate" for AI automation risk, with an average of 39% of job tasks exposed to large language models and AI tools. This means some career tasks in this field could be augmented or replaced by AI over the next decade.
Which school has the best Biological and Physical Sciences program?
Based on our DegreeOutlook Score (combining earnings, AI resilience, job market size, and ROI), Thomas Edison State University ranks #1 for Biological and Physical Sciences with a score of 70/100 and graduate earnings of $69,480/yr.
What's the outlook for a Biological and Physical Sciences degree?
On average, Biological and Physical Sciences graduates earn 10.3x their in-state tuition over 10 years. This is a strong return on investment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →