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Multi / Interdisciplinary · Natural Sciences Rank #4 of 11

Natural Sciencesat Kansas State University

Graduates earn $28,107/yr in their first year — about 11.0% below the national Natural Sciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $774K; scenarios range from $723K to $787K depending on AI disruption.

Manhattan, KS Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
38 AT RISK
39
Optimistic
55
Pessimistic
Earnings
$28,107
1-year post-graduation
ROI
14.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$774K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
Moderate
35% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Kansas State University

This Natural Sciences program at Kansas State benefits from the university's deep roots in agricultural and environmental research, often leading to strong pipelines into related federal and state agencies, like the USDA, or regional environmental firms. The career paths you see often involve public sector work, academic research, or specialized consulting roles, particularly within the Midwest's strong agricultural and ecological sectors. While providing immense stability and impact, these roles may not always match the early-career earnings found in more urbanized private sector biopharma or tech hubs. To truly maximize your potential, focus on gaining hands-on research experience and networking with faculty who can connect you to specific internships or graduate programs that align with the specialized areas commanding higher long-term salaries.

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
$723K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score55/100
Earnings Multiple16.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$774K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple17.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$787K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple18.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Kansas State 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 Kansas State University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Harvard University
MA · Private nonprofit
47
DW Score
$69K
1-yr earn
1.9x
ROI
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
Also at Kansas State University

Other top programs at Kansas State University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Kansas State 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 Kansas State University

What does a 38/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Natural Sciences at Kansas State University?

At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Natural Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.