Science, Technology and Societyat Stanford University
Graduates earn $44,736/yr in their first year — about 9.0% below the national Science, Technology and Society average. Base-case 10-year earnings $837K; scenarios range from $766K to $853K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Stanford University
Stanford's Science, Technology and Society program offers a unique lens into the profound impact of innovation, drawing upon the university's unparalleled resources and proximity to Silicon Valley. The program's interdisciplinary nature means graduates often pursue diverse paths beyond traditional tech development, including roles in tech policy, ethics, product management with a humanistic focus, or even academia. This breadth, while incredibly valuable for long-term impact and leadership, can sometimes mean initial career paths lead to roles in non-profits, government, or further education, which may not command the highest entry-level salaries compared to purely technical degrees. Your Stanford STS degree signals critical thinking and adaptability, making you highly sought after for complex problem-solving roles at companies like Google, Apple, or emerging startups focused on responsible technology. Focus on leveraging the powerful alumni network to explore your specific interests.
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 Stanford University'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 Science, Technology and Society
How Stanford University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Stanford University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Stanford University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Science, Technology and Society at Stanford University
How does Stanford University's Science, Technology and Society program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Science, Technology and Society. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How affordable is Science, Technology and Society at Stanford University after financial aid?
Sticker price is $249,936, but the average net cost is $48,544 — a 81% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.