by our College Data Analytics TeamStudents who love all types of science may consider a major in Natural Sciences. This involves the study of biology, chemistry, environmental studies, and physics. You will become scientifically literate and will participate in innovative research.
This is a challenging major. Be prepared to take classes in advanced mathematics and learn complex scientific formulas. This major involves learning a broad range of material; students will need to connect information from a variety of subjects.
Courses in Natural Sciences will include: chemistry, biology, environmental studies, physics, astronomy, botany, geology, ecology, microbiology, and zoology.
Natural Sciences was the 208th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 2,214 degrees in this year alone. This 131 less than the prior year, a decrease of 5.9%.
Our 2023 Best Natural Sciences Schools ranking analyzes 24 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for natural sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of natural sciences programs later in this article.
This major allows you to dive deeply into the topic of natural sciences. Students will be required to juggle labs, readings, research, and attending lectures. Classes will require self-motivation as well as the ability to work with others. Your math and computer skills will be used often as you work through difficult problems, record and interpret your data.
Your assignments will require you to apply different theories to real life situations. You will develop enhanced critical thinking and analytical skills in order to evaluate your work and results. Students are required to communicate findings in oral presentations and written reports. This will require logical reasoning as well as flexibility and creativity.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional natural sciences certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different natural sciences degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in natural sciences to something that takes less time like a . How long it takes to complete some common natural sciences degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to natural sciences, with approximately 39.6% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for natural sciences workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 40.1% |
| Master’s Degree | 32.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 16.8% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 6.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 4.6% |
Most workers in natural sciences have at least a master's degree. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in natural sciences have received.
This of course varies depending on which natural sciences career you choose.
A degree in Natural Sciences will prepare you for a career in a myriad of occupations. Graduates find work as a researcher, lab technician or consultant in the areas of science education, science journalism, or public health. A foundation in Natural Sciences will also allow you to go into pharmacy, medicine, law, dental, or nursing. Some of these career paths will require you to continue your education.
Want a job when you graduate with your natural sciences degree? Natural Sciences careers are expected to grow 9.0% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to natural sciences.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Physical Scientists | 25,100 | 6.8% |
| Life Scientists | 9,700 | 9.0% |
Natural Sciences graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $25,745 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $5,783 to as high as $53,257. As you might expect, salaries for natural sciences graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for natural sciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers natural sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Physical Scientists | $110,090 |
| Life Scientists | $89,150 |
With over 169 different natural sciences degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased natural sciences school rankings to help you with this.
Natural Sciences is one of 44 different types of Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | 34,975 |
| Biological & Physical Science | 30,075 |
| Interdisciplinary Studies | 9,074 |
| International Studies | 7,368 |
| Nutrition Science | 5,330 |
