Best Natural Sciences Schools by Graduate Salary & ROI (2026)
These are the top schools offering Natural Sciences, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. The score combines graduate earnings, AI automation resilience, job market demand, and return on tuition investment. The average Natural Sciences graduate earns $31,645/yr across 11 schools.
What do Natural Sciences graduates do? See career paths and salaries →Why Harvard Dominates: The Power of the Biotech Hub
Harvard’s #1 rank isn’t just about prestige; it’s about geography. Located in the heart of the Boston/Cambridge biotech ecosystem—the densest in the world—the university acts as a direct talent pipeline to pharmaceutical giants and research startups in Kendall Square and the Longwood Medical Area. This proximity provides unparalleled research and internship opportunities, explaining the list-topping $69,242/yr average earnings. Graduates don't just leave with a degree; they leave with a network and a direct on-ramp to the highest-paying jobs in the field.
The Public School Value Play: Why Cal State LA Punches Above Its Weight
The most revealing numbers aren't at the top, but in the middle. Cal State LA (#3) delivers a staggering 13.6x ROI, dwarfing the returns of many private schools. This is the value model in action: by combining rock-bottom public tuition ($27,252) with solid earnings outcomes ($39,870/yr) in a massive job market, the school delivers incredible financial mobility. This proves that a top-tier outcome in natural sciences doesn't require a $200,000+ price tag; a strategic investment in a high-performing public university can yield a far better return.
A Warning on Debt: Not All Science Degrees Are a Smart Investment
This ranking reveals a critical truth: a natural sciences degree can be a path to prosperity or a financial trap. At Harvard (#1), graduates earn $69,242 and carry just $25,767 in debt, an ideal 2.69x earnings-to-debt ratio. Contrast this with Daemen University (#7), where graduates earn a shocking $6,394 per year against $27,000 in debt. This 0.24x ratio means it's nearly impossible to pay off loans, highlighting that the name of the degree is less important than the specific program's proven ability to deliver a positive financial outcome.
Your New Job Description: Managing AI in the Lab
The consistent 35% "Moderate" AI risk score means your job isn't disappearing—it's evolving. AI is becoming your new lab partner, automating the tedious work of data processing and modeling that once consumed a junior scientist's life. Your value will no longer be in running the analysis, but in designing the experiments for AI to process and interpreting its complex, pattern-rich results. Success in this field now requires you to be the human strategist who directs the AI tools, not the technician being replaced by them.
Leading the field for Natural Sciences
The top four programs by DegreeOutlook Score. Full ranking of 11 programs below.
All Natural Sciences Programs Ranked
Click any row for full AI scenario analysis, earnings projections, and career path breakdown.
| # | School | DW Score | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit
|
47
47–47
|
$69,242/yr | 1.9x |
| 2 |
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA · Public
|
45
50–46
|
$45,910/yr | 5.5x |
| 3 |
California State University-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
|
43
53–43
|
$39,870/yr | 13.6x |
| 4 |
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS · Public
|
38
55–39
|
$28,107/yr | 14.0x |
| 5 |
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit
|
32
49–33
|
$33,647/yr | 2.8x |
| 6 |
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
San Juan, PR · Private nonprofit
|
31
48–32
|
$30,631/yr | 12.7x |
| 7 |
Daemen University
Amherst, NY · Private nonprofit
|
28
27–29
|
$6,394/yr | 4.2x |
| 8 |
University of Puerto Rico at Cayey
Cayey, PR · Public
|
26
27–27
|
$11,821/yr | 13.8x |
| 9 |
Dominican University
River Forest, IL · Private nonprofit
|
25
41–26
|
$27,081/yr | 3.3x |
| 10 |
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
Harrisburg, PA · Private nonprofit
|
20
33–20
|
$22,252/yr | 3.8x |
| 11 |
Christian Brothers University
Memphis, TN · Private nonprofit
|
18
35–19
|
$33,145/yr | 2.0x |
Frequently asked
What is the best school for Natural Sciences?
Based on our DegreeOutlook Score, Harvard University ranks #1 for Natural Sciences with a score of 47/100 and graduate earnings of $69,242/yr.
How much do Natural Sciences graduates earn?
Across 11 schools, Natural Sciences graduates earn an average of $31,645/yr in their first year. The highest-earning program reports $69,242/yr.
Is Natural Sciences a good major for AI resistance?
Natural Sciences has an average AI task exposure of 35%, rated "Moderate". This field has moderate AI exposure — some career paths are more resilient than others.