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 |
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 | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
352 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Master's
|
207 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| Georgetown University (GU) |
Master's
|
141 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | georgetown.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
133 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| Saint Peter's University (SPU) |
Master's
|
111 | Jersey City, New Jersey | Private | saintpeters.edu |
| Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
108 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | cmu.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
97 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
88 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
87 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Master's
|
87 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| University of Oklahoma (OU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
66 | Norman, Oklahoma | Public | ou.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
62 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
|
52 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
51 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Master's
|
43 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) |
Master's
|
40 | Orlando, Florida | Public | ucf.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Master's
|
39 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Chapman University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
38 | Orange, California | Private | chapman.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
34 | Malvern, Pennsylvania | Public | greatvalley.psu.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
30 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Master's
|
29 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| Montclair State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | Montclair, New Jersey | Public | montclair.edu |
| University of Notre Dame (ND) |
Master's
|
25 | Notre Dame, Indiana | Private | nd.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
24 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Master's
|
22 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| San Diego State University (SDSU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | San Diego, California | Public | sdsu.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| Modesto Junior College (MJC) |
Associate's
|
19 | Modesto, California | Public | mjc.edu |
| University of Arkansas (U of A) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Public | uark.edu |
| Iowa State University (ISU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Ames, Iowa | Public | iastate.edu |
| Clemson University |
Master's
|
16 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Master's
|
15 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Master's
|
13 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| New York University (NYU) |
Master's
|
12 | New York, New York | Private | nyu.edu |
| Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
11 | New Britain, Connecticut | Public | ccsu.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| Temple University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Other Award
|
11 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Public | temple.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTEP) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | El Paso, Texas | Public | utep.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| Robert Morris University (RMU) |
Master's
|
10 | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Private | rmu.edu |
| University of South Carolina (USCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
10 | Bluffton, South Carolina | Public | uscb.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Hamline University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | hamline.edu |
| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (SMUMN) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Winona, Minnesota | Private | smumn.edu |
| Le Moyne College |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Syracuse, New York | Private | lemoyne.edu |
| Brown University |
Master's
|
9 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Other Award
|
9 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Macalester College |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | macalester.edu |
| Augustana University |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Private | augie.edu |
| Full Sail University |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Winter Park, Florida | Private | fullsail.edu |
| Valparaiso University (Valpo) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
7 | Valparaiso, Indiana | Private | valpo.edu |
| Drew University |
Master's
|
7 | Madison, New Jersey | Private | drew.edu |
| CUNY New York City College of Technology (NYCCT) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | citytech.cuny.edu |
| Creighton University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Omaha, Nebraska | Private | creighton.edu |
| University of Wisconsin |
Other Award
|
6 | Kenosha, Wisconsin | Public | uwp.edu |
| The University of Tennessee (UTC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Chattanooga, Tennessee | Public | utc.edu |
| Augustana College |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Rock Island, Illinois | Private | augustana.edu |
| Indiana University (IUE) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Richmond, Indiana | Public | iue.edu |
| Fontbonne University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
4 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | fontbonne.edu |
| Marquette University |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Private | marquette.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Other Award
|
3 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
3 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Rice University |
Master's
|
3 | Houston, Texas | Private | rice.edu |
| Utah State University (USU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
3 | Logan, Utah | Public | usu.edu |
| American University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | american.edu |
| Indiana University (IUSE) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | New Albany, Indiana | Public | ius.edu |
| University of New England (UNE) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Biddeford, Maine | Private | une.edu |
| University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) |
Master's
|
2 | Edmond, Oklahoma | Public | uco.edu |
| Duquesne University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Private | duq.edu |
| Indiana University (IUK) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Kokomo, Indiana | Public | iuk.edu |
| Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (RHIT) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Terre Haute, Indiana | Private | rose-hulman.edu |
| University of Maine (UMA) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Augusta, Maine | Public | uma.edu |
| Washington University in St Louis (WashU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | wustl.edu |
| Duke University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| Oregon Institute of Technology (OTI) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Klamath Falls, Oregon | Public | oit.edu |
| George Mason University |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | 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.
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