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# Best Natural Sciences Programs in the United States (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Part of [Best Interdisciplinary Studies Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-interdisciplinary-studies-colleges/)

This page ranks the 9 Natural Sciences programs in the United States by the median earnings of Natural Sciences graduates four years after completing. [Harvard University](/school/harvard-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, reporting median earnings of $95,507 for its graduates four years after completing.

Across the listed programs, the figure ranges from $95,507 to $36,429, with a median of $56,124. For 1 of the 9 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

The list includes 3 public and 6 private nonprofit institutions. Harvard University ranks 32nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

Christian Brothers University posts the lowest average net price on the page, at $9,854. California State University-Chico admits 93% of applicants, the highest admission rate among the listed schools.

## The ranked list

9 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Harvard University · Cambridge, MA | $95,507 | $19,066 | $8,697 | 3.7% |
|  | [Harvard University](/school/harvard-university/majors/) reports [$95,507 in median earnings](/school/harvard-university/outcomes/) for its Natural Sciences graduates four years after completing, alongside an admission rate of 4%. |
| 2 | Daemen University · Amherst, NY | $76,980 | $18,693 | $10,773 | 68.3% |
|  | Daemen University ranks 2nd on this list, with median federal debt of $27,000 among Natural Sciences completers who borrowed and median earnings of $76,980 four years after completing. |
| 3 | Kansas State University · Manhattan, KS | $68,243 | $19,406 | $13,178 | 81.7% |
|  | A public university in Manhattan, [Kansas State University](/school/kansas-state-university/majors/) posts [median earnings of $68,243](/school/kansas-state-university/outcomes/) for its Natural Sciences graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $19,406. |
| 4 | Dominican University · River Forest, IL | $56,555 | $11,745 | $9,759 | 90.3% |
|  | [Dominican University](/school/dominican-university/majors/) [admits 90% of applicants](/school/dominican-university/admissions/) and reports median earnings of $56,555 for its Natural Sciences graduates four years after completing. |
| 5 | Loyola Marymount University · Los Angeles, CA | $56,124 | $48,381 | $32,268 | 45.1% |
|  | [Loyola Marymount University](/school/loyola-marymount-university/majors/) shows [median earnings of $56,124](/school/loyola-marymount-university/outcomes/) for its Natural Sciences graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $48,381. |
| 6 | California State University-Chico · Chico, CA | $55,102 | $14,480 | $9,902 | 92.7% |
|  | [California State University-Chico](/school/california-state-university-chico/majors/) [ranks 91st on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/california-state-university-chico/) among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports median federal debt of $16,552 across all of the school's borrowers who completed. |
| 7 | Temple University · Philadelphia, PA | $42,682 | $28,198 | $22,694 | 80.4% |
|  | [Temple University](/school/temple-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $42,682](/school/temple-university/outcomes/) for its Natural Sciences graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $22,694 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 8 | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology · Harrisburg, PA | $38,323 | $15,376 | $12,637 | 87.4% |
|  | Harrisburg University of Science and Technology ranks 8th on this list, with median federal debt of $26,000 among Natural Sciences completers who borrowed and an admission rate of 87%. |
| 9 | Christian Brothers University · Memphis, TN | $36,429 | $9,854 | $9,466 | 86.7% |
|  | Christian Brothers University reports median earnings of $36,429 for its Natural Sciences graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $9,854, the lowest on the page. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Natural Sciences graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the United States appear. The figure is the median for federally aided completers of the program who were working and not enrolled. For 1 of the 9 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for cost or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. The range from Harvard University to the bottom of the list spans $59,078, and the gap between Harvard University and Daemen University is $18,527.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Interdisciplinary Studies Colleges in the United States](/rankings/best-interdisciplinary-studies-colleges/)
-   Interdisciplinary Studies Colleges for Social Mobility