Science, Technology, and Society: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the dynamic intersection of scientific innovation, technological advancement, and societal impact through a rigorous academic lens. This program examines how science and technology shape public policy, influence ethical decision-making, and affect communities across the globe.
- Science and Public Policy: Investigate how scientific discoveries inform legislative and regulatory frameworks, and how policy decisions influence the direction and application of scientific research.
- Technology and Social Change: Analyze the transformative effects of emerging technologies on labor markets, education, healthcare, and everyday life, with attention to equity and access.
- Ethics in Scientific Practice: Engage with complex moral questions surrounding research integrity, data privacy, genetic engineering, and the responsible development of artificial intelligence.
- Engineering and Societal Responsibility: Study the role of engineers in shaping infrastructure, sustainability, and public safety, and how engineering solutions must align with community values and long-term societal well-being.
- Science Communication and Public Engagement: Develop skills to translate technical knowledge into accessible narratives, fostering informed public discourse on science-related issues and policy debates.
Science, Technology, and Society Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Science, Technology, and Society Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Science, Technology, and Society degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers and Postsecondary Teachers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 252,400 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other 25-1199 | $78,490 | $39,720 - $172,850 | 151,530 | N/A |
Science, Technology, and Society Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $59,300 in Vermont to $157,605 in Massachusetts—a 166% difference. The highest-paying states include Massachusetts, California, and New Jersey. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 252,400 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Science, Technology, and Society by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 46 institutions offering Science, Technology, and Society programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Science, Technology, and Society is found at Farmingdale State College (196 graduates), James Madison University (JMU) (62 graduates), Brown University (57 graduates), North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh (48 graduates), and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Main Campus (43 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 788 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmingdale State College |
Bachelor's
|
196 | Farmingdale, New York | Public | farmingdale.edu |
| James Madison University (JMU) |
Bachelor's
|
62 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Public | jmu.edu |
| Brown University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
57 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| North Carolina State University (NC State) |
Bachelor's
|
48 | Raleigh, North Carolina | Public | ncsu.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Wesleyan University |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Middletown, Connecticut | Private | wesleyan.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
|
33 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Vassar College |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Poughkeepsie, New York | Private | vassar.edu |
| University of Washington (UW Bothell) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Bothell, Washington | Public | uwb.edu |
| Colby College |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Waterville, Maine | Private | colby.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Postbac Cert.
Other Award
|
14 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| Arizona State University |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
12 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| Le Moyne College |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
12 | Syracuse, New York | Private | lemoyne.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
12 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| Beloit College (Beloit) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Beloit, Wisconsin | Private | beloit.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Newark, New Jersey | Public | njit.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| Tennessee Technological University (TTU) |
Master's
|
7 | Cookeville, Tennessee | Public | tntech.edu |
| Washburn University (WU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Topeka, Kansas | Public | washburn.edu |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | web.mit.edu |
| Southeastern Louisiana University (SLU) |
Master's
|
5 | Hammond, Louisiana | Public | southeastern.edu |
| Tufts University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Medford, Massachusetts | Private | tufts.edu |
| Cornell University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Troy, New York | Private | rpi.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
| Northwestern University |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Evanston, Illinois | Private | northwestern.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Post-Master's
|
4 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Master's
|
4 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| Central Wyoming College (CWC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Riverton, Wyoming | Public | cwc.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| University of Puget Sound (UPS) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Tacoma, Washington | Private | pugetsound.edu |
| Pomona College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Claremont, California | Private | pomona.edu |
| University of Chicago (UChicago) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Chicago, Illinois | Private | uchicago.edu |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Worcester, Massachusetts | Private | wpi.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Pitzer College (PZ) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Claremont, California | Private | pitzer.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Other Award
|
1 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Suffolk University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | suffolk.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Science, Technology, and Society programs
How much can I earn with a Science, Technology, and Society degree?
Salaries for Science, Technology, and Society graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn around $78,490. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Massachusetts average $157,605 compared to $59,300 in Vermont. Approximately 252,400 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Science, Technology, and Society programs?
Currently 46 accredited institutions offer Science, Technology, and Society degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Farmingdale State College (196 graduates), James Madison University (JMU) (62 graduates), and Brown University (57 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Science, Technology, and Society growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 574 in 2010 to a peak of 1,072 in 2020, before declining slightly to 788 in 2023-24. This represents a 37% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Science, Technology, and Society degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Postsecondary Teachers, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 252,400 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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