Science Technology Studies at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Raleigh, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Science Technologies/Technicians, Other
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
50
Pessimistic
Earnings $72,274/yr (34% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (17,900 openings/yr)
ROI 18.1x earnings multiple (5.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 7 Science Technologies/Technicians, Other programs Top 50%

Program Analysis

This specialized technician program at NC State benefits immensely from its location within the Research Triangle Park. The density of biotech, pharmaceutical, environmental consulting firms, and government research facilities here creates a unique and robust demand for graduates with specific hands-on scientific and technical skills. Your education will likely emphasize practical application, laboratory techniques, and instrumentation, making you immediately valuable in supporting research and development teams. This regional demand, coupled with the program's specialized nature, explains the strong initial career outcomes. However, the identified high AI risk for these roles means you'll need to strategically build your career. Focus on developing transferable skills like advanced data interpretation, specialized instrumentation, or project coordination, and actively seek internships that expose you to emerging technologies. Consider how you can specialize or pursue certifications to evolve beyond routine tasks, ensuring long-term career resilience in a changing landscape.

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Science Technology Studies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $662K $643K $578K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.6x 18.1x 16.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.1x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 50% 45% 34%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 50

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$35,580
Out-of-state: $127,068 (5.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,724
-90% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,209
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings

About North Carolina State University at Raleigh

A 40% acceptance rate puts North Carolina State University at Raleigh in competitive admissions territory, with 26,389 students enrolled in Raleigh, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at North Carolina State University at Raleigh →

Top Career Paths

Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other $60,130/yr
Hydrologic technicians $58,570/yr
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health $49,490/yr
View all 4 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Science Technology Studies at Other Schools

Other Majors at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does North Carolina State University at Raleigh's Science Technology Studies program score?
This program scores 54/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Science Technology Studies graduates.
How vulnerable is Science Technology Studies to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Science Technology Studies careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →