Biological & Physical Sciencesat CUNY Hunter College
Graduates earn $36,362/yr in their first year — about 1.0% below the national Biological & Physical Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $681K; scenarios range from $630K to $695K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CUNY Hunter College
Hunter's Biological and Physical Sciences program consistently ranks highly, testament to its rigorous academics and strong faculty. While the initial earnings figures might appear slightly below the national average for this major, understand this program's unique context. Many graduates leverage Hunter's New York City location to pursue advanced degrees at top-tier research institutions like Rockefeller or NYU, or enter public service roles within the city's extensive healthcare and education systems. These paths often involve lower initial salaries during fellowships or early teaching years, but lead to substantial long-term impact and career growth. The program's broad scope also prepares you for diverse roles, from laboratory research in biotech startups springing up across the boroughs, to vital science education positions. Your CUNY degree holds significant weight in the regional labor market, particularly for those seeking stable, impactful careers in the city. To maximize your specific trajectory, actively seek out internships or research assistantships early on, aligning your experiences with your desired post-graduation path, whether that's an MD, PhD, or direct industry entry.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CUNY Hunter College's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Biological & Physical Sciences
How CUNY Hunter College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CUNY Hunter College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CUNY Hunter College, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Biological & Physical Sciences offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Biological & Physical Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Biological & Physical Sciences at CUNY Hunter College
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Biological & Physical Sciences at CUNY Hunter College?
A score of 55/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biological & Physical Sciences field.
What makes CUNY Hunter College's Biological & Physical Sciences program stand out?
Ranked #3 of 26 programs nationally, CUNY Hunter College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Is CUNY Hunter College a hidden gem for Biological & Physical Sciences?
After financial aid, the average student pays $9,784 over four years — 67% below the $29,528 sticker price. That gap makes the ROI significantly better than published tuition suggests.