Science, Technology and Society: degree ROI, salary & best colleges
Science, Technology and Society graduates earn a median $67,452 four years after finishing — $19,092/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline. At a typical $16,902/yr net price ($67,608 over four years), that pays back in about 3.5 years. Federal data pools 47 bachelor's programs graduating roughly 830 students a year. (Scorecard field-of-study, 2026 · our math.)
Science, Technology and Society ranks #78 of 202 bachelor's fields by earnings — pays more than 62% of majors.
| # | College | State | Grad earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stanford University | CA | $107,375 |
| 2 | Eastern Michigan University | MI | $90,551 |
| 3 | Georgetown University | DC | $89,228 |
| 4 | Texas Tech University | TX | $88,953 |
| 5 | James Madison University | VA | $82,455 |
| 6 | Troy University | AL | $80,455 |
| 7 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh | NC | $67,468 |
| 8 | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | GA | $65,454 |
| 9 | Farmingdale State College | NY | $54,746 |
College Scorecard field-of-study (2026), program-level median earnings for this CIP · our ranking.
How we compute this. Earnings are the national median for graduates of this field measured 1 and 4 years after completion (Scorecard field-of-study, bachelor's). Premium = 4-year earnings − the $48,360 high-school baseline. Payback = a representative 4-year net cost (median college net price × 4) ÷ premium. Field medians blend every school — a specific program can pay far more or less. Full method on the methodology page; the field ranking is on ROI by major.
How fast does Science, Technology and Society pay grow after graduation?
From $39,993 one year out to $67,452 four years out — a $27,459 climb, or 69% over three years. Both are federal medians of the same graduating cohorts, so the gap reflects real wage progression rather than a change in who is measured.
How many students graduate in Science, Technology and Society each year?
About 830 bachelor's graduates a year across 47 programs in the federal file. Cohort size matters when reading the median: a field this size averages across a wide range of employers, regions and job titles.