by our College Data Analytics TeamComputational Science is an interdisciplinary subject that is heavily based around mathematical concepts to solve complex science and engineering problems. This major is constantly changing and developing as technology advances. Students learn how to create mathematical models and perform quantitative analysis on computers to solve and analyze scientific problems.
This major is heavy in mathematics, and also introduces students to the theories and techniques of computation, scientific visualization, grid analysis, and high performance parallel computing. Along with these classes, students will also learn management and leadership skills.
Classes you get expect to take include: engineering, management, computer science, statistics, linear algebra, physics, systems design, mathematics for computer science, and software engineering.
Some concentrations available in this major are Computational Science and Human Computer Interaction. Students may also decide to specialize in basic science or engineering.
Studying Computational Science explores Computational Science. Continue reading for the key facts every computational science student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering computational science programs.
Nationwide, computational science draws strong interest, with 2,395 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Computational Science Schools ranking analyzes these 78 schools to determine the best overall colleges for computational science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of computational science programs later in this article.
Studies in Computational Science emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations computational science graduates commonly enter.
Students should be confident in their math skills. You will be using math in nearly every class. This is a broad major that requires students to make connections between many different disciplines with separate theories and formulas. Students should also enjoy working with computers and technology.
Patience, attention to detail and critical analysis will help you solve complex and tedious problems. This major is well suited to logical students who enjoy problem solving. You will be required to use your reasoning skills to analyze information and notice small mistakes. Strong communication skills will also lead you to success as you work on team or explain your findings in writing.
The skill set developed in a computational science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a computational science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several computational science 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 | 19 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 431 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,862 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 83 |
People currently working in careers related to computational science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 46.1% |
| Master’s degree | 18.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 9.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 9.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.1% |
| Some college courses | 3.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.6% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.8% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in computational science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Computational Science will provide you with skill sets that will allow you to enter many different career paths. Many employers are searching for workers with advanced math and computer skills. Graduates could find work engineering aircrafts or aerospace structures. Computing is also needed in biology, for gene sequencing and biostatistics. Students can also work as computer developers or software programmers. Determine what interests you most and follow your passion to lead you to a fulfilling career.
A degree in computational science opens doors to a variety of career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to computational science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to computational science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,328,652 | -4.2% |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Computer Programmers | 666,800 | 11.7% |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of computational science graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $104,307 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for computational science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers computational science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
With 78 different computational science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased computational science school rankings to help you.
Those considering computational science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Computational Science | 2,395 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
