by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Science/Technology Management covers A Program That Prepares Individuals To Develop Science, Technical, And Business Skills Required For Management Of People And Systems In Technology-Based Industries, Government Agencies, And Non-Profit Organizations. Includes Instruction In Computer Applications, General Management Principles, Production And Operations Management, Project Management, Quality Control, Safety And Health Issues, And Statistics. Read on to learn the important information every science/technology management student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering science/technology management programs.
In the U.S., science/technology management is a widely-pursued major, with 323 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Science/Technology Management Schools ranking analyzes these 24 schools to determine the best overall colleges for science/technology management students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of science/technology management programs later in this article.
Coursework for Science/Technology Management build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations science/technology management graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a science/technology management program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a science/technology management major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several science/technology management degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 9 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 167 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 147 |
People currently working in careers related to science/technology management tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 50.9% |
| Master’s degree | 9.5% |
| Some college courses | 9.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 8.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 8.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 7.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 1.0% |
| First professional degree | 0.8% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in science/technology management careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in science/technology management can lead to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to science/technology management.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to science/technology management.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Geothermal Production Managers | 503,620 | 1.9% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Biomass Power Plant Managers | 450,707 | 4.2% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 419,330 | 8.8% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of science/technology management graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $62,537 |
| 4 years | $63,883 |
| 5 years | $71,749 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for science/technology management graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers science/technology management grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Biofuels Production Managers | $164,096 |
| Geothermal Production Managers | $160,381 |
| Biomass Power Plant Managers | $146,025 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $129,557 |
With 24 different science/technology management programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased science/technology management school rankings to help you.
Students interested in science/technology management, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General | 336,590 |
| Organizational Leadership | 15,674 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other | 12,497 |
| Operations Management and Supervision | 12,273 |
| Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management | 10,865 |
| Project Management | 4,784 |
| Office Management and Supervision | 3,126 |
| Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management | 2,454 |
| Retail Management | 1,434 |
| Purchasing, Procurement/Acquisitions and Contracts Management | 1,230 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
