College ROI Report
Updated 2024
Best-value Colleges for Science
If you’re interested in the sciences, from astronomy to zoology, Payscale’s College ROI Report can help you find the best value college for science majors by calculating the best college returns on investment based on how much science majors from a particular college earn.
| Rank | School Name | 20 Year Net ROI | Total 4 Year Cost | Graduation Rate | Typical Years to Graduate | Average Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank:1 | School Name:_50px.png) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$1,144,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$302,000 | Graduation Rate:95% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$55,200 |
| Rank:2 | School Name: Harvey Mudd College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$1,139,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$326,000 | Graduation Rate:92% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$29,900 |
| Rank:3 | School Name: Harvard University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$1,133,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$311,000 | Graduation Rate:98% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$36,000 |
| Rank:4 | School Name: Dartmouth College (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$1,012,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$323,000 | Graduation Rate:95% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$25,600 |
| Rank:5 | School Name: Stanford University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$998,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$314,000 | Graduation Rate:95% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$52,000 |
| Rank:6 | School Name: at Annapolis_50px.png) United States Naval Academy (Service Academy) | 20 Year Net ROI:$937,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$0 | Graduation Rate:90% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:- |
| Rank:7 | School Name: Colorado School of Mines (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$900,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$152,000 | Graduation Rate:82% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$35,500 |
| Rank:8 | School Name: University of California-Berkeley (In-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$898,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$165,000 | Graduation Rate:94% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$29,000 |
| Rank:9 | School Name: Princeton University (Private) | 20 Year Net ROI:$897,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$301,000 | Graduation Rate:97% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$30,200 |
| Rank:10 | School Name:Colorado School of Mines (Out-of-State) | 20 Year Net ROI:$815,000 | Total 4 Year Cost:$236,000 | Graduation Rate:82% | Typical Years to Graduate:4 | Average Loan Amount:$35,500 |
Physical Science is the study of organic, non-living materials, and includes chemistry, physics, meteorology and more. Life science is the study of living organisms and the physical, particularly their processes and interrelationships. Physical science disciplines include geology, chemistry, meteorology, and many more. Disciplines that fall under life science include ecology, neurology, and biology, to name a few. See which schools top the College ROI Report for best value colleges for students who major in life science and physical science.
Several schools in California rank very high in terms of college ROI for science majors. San Jose State University, San Francisco State University, University of California at Berkeley and University of California San Diego all have perennially excellent college ROIs. Each of these colleges are located in areas with strong economies and favorable geography. Life science majors have access to research and fieldwork in a variety of environments, and physical science majors benefit from proximity to job opportunities from big employers in technology, biotechnology, pharmacology and chemical manufacturing.
It’s no surprise that science majors provide good ROI for students; after all, you can’t spell “STEM” without science. Life sciences and physical sciences set students up for excellent career prospects, ranging from medical careers to research and development. However, some science disciplines lead to higher-paying careers than others, so don’t expect the same high demand that engineering and computer science majors enjoy. Also, keep in mind that these figures don’t include alumni who go on to earn a graduate degree. Life science majors often see bigger pay bumps when they have a master’s degree.
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