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Science Technologies · Science Technology Studies Rank #4 of 7

Science Technology Studiesat University of Arizona

Graduates earn $48,334/yr in their first year — about 10.0% below the national Science Technology Studies average. Base-case 10-year earnings $549K; scenarios range from $506K to $556K depending on AI disruption.

Tucson, AZ Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
47 AVERAGE
48
Optimistic
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$48,334
1-year post-graduation
ROI
9.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$549K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
45% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Arizona

This unique "Science Technologies/Technicians, Other" program at the University of Arizona prepares you for diverse roles supporting scientific research and operations. The "other" designation often means graduates are adaptable, finding niches in university labs, government agencies like the USGS or EPA, or local defense and environmental firms around Tucson. However, this broadness can sometimes mean less immediate specialization, which might explain why initial earnings fall below the national average for similar niche programs. Tucson's labor market offers opportunities in these sectors, but intense competition or a focus on support roles rather than lead scientific positions can impact salary growth. The noted high AI risk is a significant factor, suggesting that many routine technical tasks you'd perform could be automated. To thrive, you must actively seek out internships that provide hands-on experience with cutting-edge, non-routine instrumentation and data interpretation, building skills that complement, rather than compete with, emerging AI tools.

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
$506K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score42/100
Earnings Multiple9.3x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$549K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score47/100
Earnings Multiple10.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$556K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score48/100
Earnings Multiple10.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Science Technology Studies 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
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other
+3.5% 10-yr growth · 10,600 openings/yr
$60,130/yr
High
2
Hydrologic technicians
-2.1% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$58,570/yr
High
3
Environmental science and protection technicians, including health
+4.0% 10-yr growth · 5,600 openings/yr
$49,490/yr
Moderate
4
Geological technicians, except hydrologic technicians
+1.5% 10-yr growth · 1,300 openings/yr
$48,390/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Science Technology Studies

How University of Arizona stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
North Carolina State University at Raleigh
NC · Public
54
DW Score
$72K
1-yr earn
19.3x
ROI
Top score
Arizona State University Campus Immersion
AZ · Public
58
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
14.2x
ROI
Same state (AZ)
Arizona State University Digital Immersion
AZ · Public
42
DW Score
$61K
1-yr earn
Campbell University
NC · Private nonprofit
50
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
4.3x
ROI
Northern Arizona University
AZ · Public
45
DW Score
$44K
1-yr earn
10.5x
ROI
Also at University of Arizona

Other top programs at University of Arizona

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

Consider the trade route

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

Compare Science Technology Studies trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Science Technology Studies at University of Arizona

How does University of Arizona's Science Technology Studies program score?

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

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.