Home Schools Harvard University Natural Sciences
Multi / Interdisciplinary · Natural Sciences Rank #1 of 11

Natural Sciencesat Harvard University

Graduates earn $69,242/yr in their first year — about 119.0% above the national Natural Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $715K; scenarios range from $671K to $725K depending on AI disruption.

Cambridge, MA Private nonprofit Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
47 AVERAGE
47
Optimistic
47
Pessimistic
Earnings
$69,242
1-year post-graduation
ROI
1.9x
Earnings : tuition
10-yr Base
$715K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
35% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Harvard University

Your journey through Harvard's Natural Sciences cultivates an exceptionally rigorous analytical toolkit, highly valued by employers far beyond typical lab settings. The institution's global reputation, coupled with its unparalleled alumni network, opens doors to leadership roles across diverse fields. You'll find graduates excelling in the Boston/Cambridge biotech and pharma corridor, at firms like Moderna or Biogen, but also leveraging their critical thinking in finance, tech, and consulting. The program’s emphasis on complex problem-solving and interdisciplinary research prepares you for roles less susceptible to automation, where human ingenuity and strategic oversight remain paramount. To truly maximize this foundation, actively explore diverse research opportunities and internships; tailor your focus to blend scientific depth with practical applications in areas like data science or product development.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$671K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple2.8x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$715K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple3.0x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$725K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple3.1x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Harvard University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Natural Sciences graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Physical scientists, all other
+0.6% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$117,960/yr
Moderate
3
Life scientists, all other
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$87,800/yr
Low
4
Postsecondary teachers, all other
+1.8% 10-yr growth · 13,500 openings/yr
$78,490/yr
Low
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Natural Sciences

How Harvard University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Temple University
PA · Public
45
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
5.5x
ROI
California State University-Los Angeles
CA · Public
43
DW Score
$40K
1-yr earn
13.6x
ROI
Loyola Marymount University
CA · Private nonprofit
32
DW Score
$34K
1-yr earn
2.8x
ROI
Christian Brothers University
TN · Private nonprofit
18
DW Score
$33K
1-yr earn
2.0x
ROI
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro
PR · Private nonprofit
31
DW Score
$31K
1-yr earn
12.7x
ROI
Also at Harvard University

Other top programs at Harvard University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Harvard University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Natural Sciences trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Natural Sciences at Harvard University

How does Harvard University's Natural Sciences program score?

This program scores 47/100 — on the lower end for Natural Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How affordable is Natural Sciences at Harvard University after financial aid?

Sticker price is $236,304, but the average net cost is $67,264 — a 72% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.