Computational Science: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Computational Science is an interdisciplinary field that integrates advanced computing techniques with scientific inquiry to solve complex problems across diverse domains. It emphasizes the development and application of mathematical models, algorithms, and simulations to analyze and predict phenomena in science, engineering, and beyond.
- Scientific Visualization: Techniques for representing complex data sets through graphical and interactive means, enabling clearer interpretation of simulation results and large-scale datasets.
- Multi-scale Analysis: Methods for modeling systems that exhibit behaviors across multiple spatial or temporal scales, essential for understanding phenomena from molecular dynamics to climate systems.
- Grid Generation: The process of creating computational meshes that accurately represent physical domains, crucial for numerical simulations in fluid dynamics, structural mechanics, and more.
- Data Analysis: Advanced statistical and computational approaches to extract meaningful insights from large, complex datasets generated by experiments or simulations.
- Applied Mathematics: The use of mathematical methods to formulate and solve real-world problems, forming the theoretical backbone of computational models.
- Numerical Algorithms: Efficient, stable computational procedures for solving mathematical problems such as differential equations, optimization, and linear systems.
- High Performance Parallel Computing: The design and implementation of software that leverages multiple processors or distributed systems to accelerate large-scale computations.
- Numerical Modeling and Simulation: The creation of digital representations of physical systems to predict behavior under various conditions, widely used in engineering, environmental science, and biomedical research.
Computational Science Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Computational Science Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Computational Science degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Data Scientists and Computer Occupations, 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 1,075,990 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 |
| Data Scientists 15-2051 | $112,590 | $63,650 - $194,410 | 233,440 | $54.13 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other 15-1299 | $108,970 | $52,650 - $176,800 | 439,380 | $52.39 |
| Computer Programmers 15-1251 | $98,670 | $52,190 - $162,090 | 109,870 | $47.44 |
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1021 | $96,690 | $48,910 - $172,380 | 36,240 | N/A |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other 25-1199 | $78,490 | $39,720 - $172,850 | 151,530 | N/A |
| Mathematical Science Occupations, All Other 15-2099 | $71,490 | $40,330 - $154,140 | 4,660 | $34.37 |
Salary Comparison
Computational Science Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $77,187 in Mississippi to $143,257 in California—a 86% difference. The highest-paying states include California, Massachusetts, and Washington. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,075,990 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 Computational Science by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 78 institutions offering Computational Science 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 Computational Science is found at Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (352 graduates), University of Colorado Boulder (CU) (207 graduates), Georgetown University (GU) (141 graduates), Michigan State University (MSU) (133 graduates), and Saint Peter's University (SPU) (111 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 2,395 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 | Admissions | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
352 |
SAT: 1170-1400 ACT: 27-32 |
Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Master's
|
207 |
SAT: 1230-1420 ACT: 28-33 |
Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
|
141 |
SAT: 1390-1550 ACT: 32-34 |
Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
133 |
SAT: 1150-1350 ACT: 26-31 |
East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Saint Peter's University (SPU) |
Master's
|
111 | N/A | Jersey City, New Jersey | Private | saintpeters.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
108 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
97 |
SAT: 1230-1490 ACT: 27-33 |
Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
88 |
SAT: 990-1260 ACT: 23-30 |
Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
87 |
SAT: 1400-1540 ACT: 31-34 |
Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
87 |
SAT: 1100-1340 ACT: 18-30 |
University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Other Award
|
66 |
SAT: 1140-1330 ACT: 23-29 |
Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
62 |
SAT: 1160-1390 ACT: 25-32 |
Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
52 | N/A | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51 | N/A | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Master's
|
43 | N/A | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Master's
|
40 |
SAT: 1190-1350 ACT: 25-29 |
Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Master's
|
39 |
SAT: 1510-1560 ACT: 34-35 |
Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
38 |
SAT: 1250-1430 ACT: 28-32 |
Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
34 | N/A | Malvern, Pennsylvania | Public | greatvalley.psu.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
30 |
SAT: 1040-1230 ACT: 21-28 |
Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Master's
|
29 |
SAT: 1060-1250 ACT: 20-26 |
Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | SAT: 940-1225 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Master's
|
25 |
SAT: 1440-1540 ACT: 33-35 |
Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
24 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Master's
|
22 |
SAT: 1080-1250 ACT: 25-30 |
Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
21 | N/A | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | N/A | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Associate's
|
19 | N/A | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
|
18 |
SAT: 1050-1220 ACT: 21-28 |
Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 |
SAT: 1110-1350 ACT: 21-28 |
Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Clemson University |
Master's
|
16 |
SAT: 1230-1390 ACT: 28-32 |
Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Master's
|
15 | N/A | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Master's
|
13 |
SAT: 1330-1470 ACT: 30-33 |
Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | N/A | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
12 |
SAT: 1480-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 |
SAT: 960-1180 ACT: 19-29 |
New Britain, Connecticut | Public | ccsu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11 |
SAT: 1240-1390 ACT: 27-31 |
Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
11 | N/A | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11 |
SAT: 870-1090 ACT: 17-23 |
El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 |
SAT: 1320-1490 ACT: 28-33 |
Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Robert Morris University (RMU) |
Master's
|
10 | N/A | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Private | rmu.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | N/A | Bluffton, South Carolina | Public | uscb.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1040-1280 ACT: 19-26 |
Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Hamline University |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1146-1393 ACT: 20-28 |
Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | hamline.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | N/A | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| Le Moyne College |
Bachelor's
|
9 |
SAT: 1160-1340 ACT: 25-31 |
Syracuse, New York | Private | lemoyne.edu |
| Brown University |
Master's
|
9 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Other Award
|
9 |
SAT: 1140-1380 ACT: 25-31 |
College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Macalester College |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1350-1510 ACT: 30-33 |
Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | macalester.edu |
| Augustana University |
Bachelor's
|
8 |
SAT: 1075-1290 ACT: 21-27 |
Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Private | augie.edu |
| Full Sail University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | N/A | Winter Park, Florida | Private | fullsail.edu |
| Valparaiso University (Valpo) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1080-1310 ACT: 25-30 |
Valparaiso, Indiana | Private | valpo.edu |
| Drew University |
Master's
|
7 |
SAT: 1110-1320 ACT: 25-31 |
Madison, New Jersey | Private | drew.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | SAT: 880-1200 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Creighton University |
Bachelor's
|
6 |
SAT: 1210-1400 ACT: 24-30 |
Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Other Award
|
6 | ACT: 18-25 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | uwp.edu |
| The University of Tennessee (UTC) |
Doctorate (R)
|
5 |
SAT: 1005-1185 ACT: 20-25 |
Chattanooga, Tennessee | Public | utc.edu |
| Augustana College |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1010-1250 ACT: 21-28 |
Rock Island, Illinois | Private | augustana.edu |
| Indiana University (IUE) |
Bachelor's
|
4 |
SAT: 1010-1220 ACT: 20-25 |
Richmond, Indiana | Public | iue.edu |
| Fontbonne University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | N/A | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | fontbonne.edu |
| Marquette University |
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
4 |
SAT: 1190-1360 ACT: 26-31 |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
3 |
SAT: 990-1220 ACT: 19-25 |
Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
|
3 |
SAT: 1100-1310 ACT: 26-30 |
Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
3 |
SAT: 1210-1380 ACT: 27-32 |
Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Rice University |
Master's
|
3 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 34-36 |
Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
3 |
SAT: 1060-1300 ACT: 20-28 |
Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 1300-1450 ACT: 29-33 |
Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Indiana University (IUSE) |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 1010-1190 ACT: 20-26 |
New Albany, Indiana | Public | ius.edu |
| University of New England (UNE) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | N/A | Biddeford, Maine | Private | une.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Master's
|
2 | ACT: 17-24 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Bachelor's
|
2 |
SAT: 1160-1350 ACT: 26-31 |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Indiana University (IUK) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 970-1180 ACT: 18-26 |
Kokomo, Indiana | Public | iuk.edu |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1280-1470 ACT: 29-34 |
Terre Haute, Indiana | Private | rose-hulman.edu |
| University of Maine (UMA) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | N/A | Augusta, Maine | Public | uma.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Doctorate (R)
|
1 |
SAT: 1500-1570 ACT: 33-35 |
Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Duke University |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1510-1570 ACT: 34-35 |
Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Oregon Institute of Technology (OTI) |
Bachelor's
|
1 |
SAT: 1045-1300 ACT: 22-26 |
Klamath Falls, Oregon | Public | oit.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 |
SAT: 1140-1340 ACT: 25-30 |
Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Computational Science programs
How much can I earn with a Computational Science degree?
Salaries for Computational Science graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Data Scientists earn around $112,590. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $143,257 compared to $77,187 in Mississippi. Approximately 1,075,990 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 Computational Science programs?
Currently 78 accredited institutions offer Computational Science degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Indiana University (IUB), Bloomington (352 graduates), University of Colorado Boulder (CU) (207 graduates), and Georgetown University (GU) (141 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 Computational Science growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 5 in 2010 to 2,395 in 2023-24. This represents a 47,800% 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 Computational Science degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Data Scientists, and Computer Occupations, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 1,075,990 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.
Related Interdisciplinary Programs
Explore similar degree programs within the Interdisciplinary field. These programs share the same academic discipline and may offer complementary skills and career pathways.
Linguistics and Anthropology
A program that focuses on the study of the anthropological, historical, and sociological context of language with a particular emphasis on language use...
Linguistics and Computer Science
A program that focuses on the relationship between computer and human language and computational techniques applied to natural language. Includes instruction in computer...
Mathematical Economics
A program that focuses on the application of mathematical methods to the development of economic theory, models, and quantitative analysis. Includes instruction in...
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
A program that focuses on philosophical foundations, political institutions, collective behavior, economic theory, and economic influences. Includes instruction in econometrics, logic, metaphysics, moral...
Digital Humanities
A program that focuses on the use of new technologies, advanced computing, and public engagement to investigate and analyze questions in the humanities....
Digital Humanities and Textual Studies
Any instructional program in digital humanities and textual studies not listed above.
Found something useful? Help others discover it too! Share with friends, on social media, or save for later - every share helps someone find the information they need.