Best Biological and Physical Sciences Degrees in the US by ROI
Top colleges ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment across all active states. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs Analyzed
23
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$125,260
Across all programs
Average Annual Cost
$35,209
Cost of attendance
| # | College | State | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thomas Edison State University | NJ | +$250,305 | $55,764 | N/A | $18,500 | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Empire State University
Grad rate: 27.3% |
NY | +$158,796 | $53,584 | $18,221 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
CUNY Hunter College
Grad rate: 58.7% |
NY | +$118,390 | $51,280 | $13,310 | $10,348 | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
University of Georgia
Grad rate: 87.6% |
GA | +$69,986 | $52,377 | $27,436 | $20,600 | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Fordham University
Grad rate: 81.8% |
NY | -$3,901 | $58,912 | $77,351 | $24,250 | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
University of Notre Dame
Grad rate: 96.6% |
IN | -$10,514 | $58,799 | $80,211 | $19,000 | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Saint Anselm College
Grad rate: 84.2% |
NH | -$11,018 | $56,285 | $65,067 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Shawnee State University
Grad rate: 38.7% |
OH | -$36,419 | $45,915 | $22,190 | $19,229 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
University of Houston-Downtown
Grad rate: 32.3% |
TX | -$108,016 | $42,901 | $23,017 | $25,162 | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
University of South Florida
Grad rate: 74.4% |
FL | -$127,804 | $40,070 | $22,301 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 11 |
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus
Grad rate: 52.2% |
PA | -$129,925 | $42,568 | $26,405 | $26,419 | Full ROI → |
| 12 |
Middle Tennessee State University
Grad rate: 54.3% |
TN | -$152,598 | $40,119 | $22,754 | $17,750 | Full ROI → |
| 13 |
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
Grad rate: 51.0% |
PA | -$154,424 | $41,734 | $28,501 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 14 |
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg
Grad rate: 39.1% |
PA | -$154,476 | $41,734 | $28,514 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 15 |
Portland State University
Grad rate: 52.9% |
OR | -$171,121 | $39,790 | $22,449 | $27,500 | Full ROI → |
| 16 |
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Grad rate: 84.0% |
PA | -$187,248 | $41,734 | $36,707 | $26,000 | Full ROI → |
| 17 |
Washington State University
Grad rate: 62.0% |
WA | -$191,749 | $39,164 | $27,176 | $19,500 | Full ROI → |
| 18 |
Grand Valley State University
Grad rate: 67.4% |
MI | -$237,522 | $37,262 | $26,578 | $27,000 | Full ROI → |
| 19 |
University of Oregon
Grad rate: 72.5% |
OR | -$310,841 | $34,532 | $32,636 | $22,917 | Full ROI → |
| 20 |
Virginia Commonwealth University
Grad rate: 64.9% |
VA | -$331,800 | $34,100 | $34,346 | $26,975 | Full ROI → |
| 21 |
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus
Grad rate: 57.3% |
NJ | -$336,521 | $36,504 | $47,791 | $26,250 | Full ROI → |
| 22 |
The Evergreen State College
Grad rate: 42.3% |
WA | -$356,083 | $30,891 | $25,934 | $22,346 | Full ROI → |
| 23 |
Whitworth University
Grad rate: 72.3% |
WA | -$466,490 | $33,572 | $65,711 | $25,990 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost − Debt Payoff (×1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20). Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Biological and Physical Sciences Degrees by State
Browse Biological and Physical Sciences programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.