Best Schools for Biological and Physical Sciences

Biological and Physical Sciences graduates earn a median of $63,582 within four years of graduating, ranking #199 out of 283 tracked majors — 2% above the median across all fields. There are 42 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 3,076 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: University of Notre Dame graduates earn $102,801 while New College of Florida graduates earn $41,759 — a $61,042 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Biological and Physical Sciences graduates see an average 3% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

42
Schools
$63,582
Avg. 2yr Earnings
#199
of 283 Majors
3,076
Graduates

Public vs Private: Biological and Physical Sciences

Public (34 schools)
$61,077
avg. 2yr earnings
Private (8 schools)
$69,729
avg. 2yr earnings

Private schools produce $8,652 more in early earnings on average for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates. Factor in tuition difference to calculate which offers better ROI.

Biological and Physical Sciences by State

Also by state: New Jersey

Top Biological and Physical Sciences Schools by Graduate Earnings

#1
University of Notre Dame logo

University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame, IN · Private

$102,801
4yr Earnings
22 grads · small sample
2yr: $40,485 (23)
1yr: $40,806 (26)
Acceptance: 12.4%
#2
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus logo

Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus

Indiana, PA · Public

$71,028
4yr Earnings
46 grads
2yr: $33,459 (22)
1yr: $25,473 (25)
Acceptance: 91.2%
#3
Fordham University logo

Fordham University

Bronx, NY · Private

$70,101
4yr Earnings
36 grads
2yr: $21,781 (25)
1yr: $27,141 (42)
Acceptance: 56.3%
#4
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College logo

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College

Erie, PA · Public

$69,102
4yr Earnings
164 grads
2yr: $32,854 (137)
1yr: $33,036 (145)
Acceptance: 95.7%
#5
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton logo

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton

Dunmore, PA · Public

$69,102
4yr Earnings
164 grads
2yr: $32,854 (137)
1yr: $33,036 (145)
Acceptance: 94.9%
#6
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks logo

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Berks

Reading, PA · Public

$69,102
4yr Earnings
164 grads
2yr: $32,854 (137)
1yr: $33,036 (145)
Acceptance: 97.1%
#7
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg logo

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg

Middletown, PA · Public

$69,102
4yr Earnings
164 grads
2yr: $32,854 (137)
1yr: $33,036 (145)
Acceptance: 96.4%
#8
Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus logo

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus

University Park, PA · Public

$69,102
4yr Earnings
164 grads
2yr: $32,854 (137)
1yr: $33,036 (145)
Acceptance: 54.2%
#9
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington logo

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Abington

Abington, PA · Public

$69,102
4yr Earnings
164 grads
2yr: $32,854 (137)
1yr: $33,036 (145)
Acceptance: 92.0%
#10
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York logo

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York

York, PA · Public

$69,102
4yr Earnings
164 grads
2yr: $32,854 (137)
1yr: $33,036 (145)
Acceptance: 92.2%
#11
Pennsylvania State University-World Campus logo

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus

University Park, PA · Public

$69,102
4yr Earnings
164 grads
2yr: $32,854 (137)
1yr: $33,036 (145)
Acceptance: 80.3%
#12
Washington State University logo

Washington State University

Pullman, WA · Public

$68,583
4yr Earnings
34 grads
2yr: $33,281 (26)
1yr: $34,602 (34)
Acceptance: 85.4%
#13
Bard College logo

Bard College

Annandale-On-Hudson, NY · Private

$64,518
4yr Earnings
62 grads
1yr: $30,818 (55)
Acceptance: 52.3%
#14
CUNY Hunter College logo

CUNY Hunter College

New York, NY · Public

$63,406
4yr Earnings
27 grads · small sample
2yr: $33,138 (46)
1yr: $28,569 (29)
Acceptance: 54.0%
#15
Indiana University-Kokomo logo

Indiana University-Kokomo

Kokomo, IN · Public

$63,018
4yr Earnings
18 grads · small sample
Acceptance: 84.7%
#16
University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg logo

University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg

Greensburg, PA · Public

$62,698
4yr Earnings
129 grads
2yr: $26,519 (74)
1yr: $28,816 (89)
Acceptance: 97.9%
#17
University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown logo

University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Johnstown, PA · Public

$62,698
4yr Earnings
129 grads
2yr: $26,519 (74)
1yr: $28,816 (89)
Acceptance: 95.9%
#18
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus logo

University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus

Pittsburgh, PA · Public

$62,698
4yr Earnings
129 grads
2yr: $26,519 (74)
1yr: $28,816 (89)
Acceptance: 49.7%
#19
Virginia Commonwealth University logo

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, VA · Public

$61,395
4yr Earnings
78 grads
2yr: $32,245 (65)
1yr: $28,313 (100)
Acceptance: 93.1%
#20
University of Oregon logo

University of Oregon

Eugene, OR · Public

$58,319
4yr Earnings
78 grads
2yr: $32,391 (45)
1yr: $29,003 (64)
Acceptance: 85.1%
#21
University of Georgia logo

University of Georgia

Athens, GA · Public

$58,123
4yr Earnings
28 grads · small sample
2yr: $21,166 (55)
1yr: $12,715 (40)
Acceptance: 37.2%
#22
Portland State University logo

Portland State University

Portland, OR · Public

$57,303
4yr Earnings
119 grads
2yr: $27,301 (77)
1yr: $32,021 (106)
Acceptance: 90.9%
#23
University of Houston-Downtown logo

University of Houston-Downtown

Houston, TX · Public

$56,995
4yr Earnings
70 grads
2yr: $33,993 (24)
1yr: $36,725 (54)
Acceptance: 90.6%
#24
Middle Tennessee State University logo

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, TN · Public

$56,293
4yr Earnings
35 grads
2yr: $28,236 (28)
1yr: $24,501 (21)
Acceptance: 68.0%
#25
University of Puget Sound logo

University of Puget Sound

Tacoma, WA · Private

$55,690
4yr Earnings
19 grads · small sample
1yr: $21,709 (27)
Acceptance: 76.3%
#26
Whitworth University logo

Whitworth University

Spokane, WA · Private

$55,534
4yr Earnings
53 grads
2yr: $25,194 (38)
1yr: $24,842 (53)
Acceptance: 86.8%
#27
University of Alaska Anchorage logo

University of Alaska Anchorage

Anchorage, AK · Public

$51,889
4yr Earnings
33 grads
2yr: $29,685 (15)
1yr: $34,176 (29)
Acceptance: 66.5%
#28
The Evergreen State College logo

The Evergreen State College

Olympia, WA · Public

$48,623
4yr Earnings
161 grads
2yr: $24,730 (162)
1yr: $25,468 (159)
Acceptance: 97.2%
#29
Pennsylvania Western University logo

Pennsylvania Western University

California, PA · Public

$45,272
4yr Earnings
28 grads · small sample
Acceptance: 93.7%
#30
Grand Valley State University logo

Grand Valley State University

Allendale, MI · Public

$45,090
4yr Earnings
31 grads
2yr: $35,996 (32)
1yr: $38,369 (46)
Acceptance: 94.7%
#31
New College of Florida logo

New College of Florida

Sarasota, FL · Public

$41,759
4yr Earnings
46 grads
1yr: $25,771 (20)
Acceptance: 74.0%
#32
University of Northern Iowa logo

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, IA · Public

$39,909
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 94.4%
#33
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point logo

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Stevens Point, WI · Public

$39,009
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 90.1%
#34
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona logo

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Altoona

Altoona, PA · Public

$32,854
2yr Earnings
145 grads
1yr: $33,036 (145)
Grads: 145
Acceptance: 97.3%
#35
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine logo

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Brandywine

Media, PA · Public

$32,854
2yr Earnings
145 grads
1yr: $33,036 (145)
Grads: 145
Acceptance: 95.3%
#36
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton logo

Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton

Hazleton, PA · Public

$32,854
2yr Earnings
145 grads
1yr: $33,036 (145)
Grads: 145
Acceptance: 91.0%
#37
Shawnee State University logo

Shawnee State University

Portsmouth, OH · Public

$30,771
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: N/A
#38
Saint Anselm College logo

Saint Anselm College

Manchester, NH · Private

$29,685
2yr Earnings
21 grads · small sample
1yr: $30,923 (21)
Grads: 21
Acceptance: 78.3%
#39
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus logo

Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus

Teaneck, NJ · Private

$29,685
2yr Earnings
17 grads · small sample
1yr: $29,468 (17)
Grads: 17
Acceptance: 95.9%
#40
University of South Florida logo

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · Public

$28,598
2yr Earnings
19 grads · small sample
1yr: $48,251 (19)
Grads: 19
Acceptance: 41.0%
#41
Georgetown University logo

Georgetown University

Washington, DC · Private

$27,476
2yr Earnings
16 grads · small sample
1yr: $14,165 (16)
Grads: 16
Acceptance: 13.1%
#42
Western Washington University logo

Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public

$16,874
2yr Earnings
Acceptance: 91.3%

Majors with Similar Earnings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Biological and Physical Sciences?
University of Notre Dame ranks #1 for Biological and Physical Sciences with median graduate earnings of $102,801 within four years of graduating. There are 42 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.
How much do Biological and Physical Sciences graduates earn?
Biological and Physical Sciences graduates earn an average of $63,582 within four years of graduating. This is near the median across all majors. Earnings range from $41,759 to $102,801 depending on the school.
How hard is it to get into a top Biological and Physical Sciences program?
The average acceptance rate across Biological and Physical Sciences programs is 78.6%. The most selective program is at University of Notre Dame with a 12.4% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.
Is a public or private school better for Biological and Physical Sciences?
Private Biological and Physical Sciences programs average $69,729 in early earnings vs $61,077 at public schools. Private schools lead in earnings, but cost significantly more — calculate net price before deciding.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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