Biological and Physical Sciences: is this master's degree worth it?
National picture across 7 reporting college programs.
Personal baseline needed
$117,497 in median year-4 earnings
A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.
$117,497Median year-4 earnings
$21,591Average institution net-price context
Not availableMedian federal debt
Observed national outcomes
$117,497Median reported earnings · year 4
$108,145Average reported earnings · year 5
Not availableMedian federal debt
83thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
7Reporting programs
7With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $50,340
- Federal debt
- $8,639
- Reporting programs
- 86
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $63,018
- Federal debt
- $26,000
- Reporting programs
- 39
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $117,497
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 7
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$59,825National median$117,49775th percentile$125,457
7 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
7 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1Rutgers University-CamdenCamden, NJ · PublicYear-4 earnings$125,457Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$18,7452Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ · PublicYear-4 earnings$125,457Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$24,4063Rutgers University-NewarkNewark, NJ · PublicYear-4 earnings$125,457Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$19,7034Keck Graduate InstituteClaremont, CA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$117,497Federal debtNot availableAnnual net priceNot available5Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,605Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$21,2796University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO · PublicYear-4 earnings$59,825Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$15,7887Touro UniversityNew York, NY · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$57,522Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$29,627
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1Rutgers University-Camden$125,4572Rutgers University-New Brunswick$125,4573Rutgers University-Newark$125,4574Keck Graduate Institute$117,4975Colorado State University-Fort Collins$69,6056University of Colorado Colorado Springs$59,8257Touro University$57,522Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Natural Sciences ManagersSOC 11-9121 · 1 crosswalk linksPostsecondary Teachers, All OtherSOC 25-1199 · 1 crosswalk linksSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationSOC 25-2031 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | ROI status | Cost context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rutgers University-CamdenMaster's Degree | Camden, NJ | $125,457 | Not available | Baseline needed | $18,745 |
| 2 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickMaster's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $125,457 | Not available | Baseline needed | $24,406 |
| 3 | Rutgers University-NewarkMaster's Degree | Newark, NJ | $125,457 | Not available | Baseline needed | $19,703 |
| 4 | Keck Graduate InstituteMaster's Degree | Claremont, CA | $117,497 | Not available | Baseline needed | Not available |
| 5 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsMaster's Degree | Fort Collins, CO | $69,605 | Not available | Baseline needed | $21,279 |
| 6 | University of Colorado Colorado SpringsMaster's Degree | Colorado Springs, CO | $59,825 | Not available | Baseline needed | $15,788 |
| 7 | Touro UniversityMaster's Degree | New York, NY | $57,522 | Not available | Baseline needed | $29,627 |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.