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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Natural Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools

5 Colleges in the United States
824 Natural Sciences Degrees Awarded
$38,830 Avg Early-Career Salary

Natural Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 157 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best natural sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Natural Sciences in the United States

These are the top schools for a associate’s degree in natural sciences, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Natural Sciences

1

Leading the list is Kapiolani Community College, our #1 school for natural sciences. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Honolulu. There were roughly 63 natural sciences students who graduated with this degree at Kapiolani Community College in the most recent data year. Natural Sciences graduates of Kapiolani Community College earn a median of $48,210 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $14,738 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural sciences program at Kapiolani Community College

2

A rank of #2 makes San Jacinto Community College one of the top schools for natural sciences. San Jacinto Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 504 natural sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $38,107. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural sciences program at San Jacinto Community College

3

A rank of #3 makes Leeward Community College one of the top schools for natural sciences. Set in the suburb of Pearl City, Leeward Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 49 natural sciences degrees were awarded at Leeward Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural sciences degree from Leeward Community College earn around $21,784 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,068 to complete this degree. Read more about the natural sciences program at Leeward Community College

4
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in natural sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Lee College is a large public school located in the city of Baytown. About 16 natural sciences degrees were awarded at Lee College in the most recent year. Natural Sciences graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,941. Read more about the natural sciences program at Lee College

5

University Of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best natural sciences schools. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. About 39% of students finish within six years. University Of Alaska Fairbanks awarded about 15 natural sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural sciences degree from University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn around $50,963 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,439. More information about a degree in natural sciences from University Of Alaska Fairbanks

6
College Of The Mainland crest
College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland earned the #6 position for natural sciences this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Texas City. College Of The Mainland awarded about 19 natural sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. College Of The Mainland graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. See the full natural sciences program report for College Of The Mainland

7

Honolulu Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best natural sciences schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Honolulu. Honolulu Community College awarded about 14 natural sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural sciences program make about $59,006 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,868 to complete this degree. See the full natural sciences program report for Honolulu Community College

8

The University Of Texas At Brownsville came in at #8 for natural sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of Brownsville. About 14 natural sciences degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Brownsville in the most recent year. Natural Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Brownsville earn a median of $30,343 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $10,058. Get the full natural sciences details for The University Of Texas At Brownsville

9

College Of Western Idaho landed the #9 spot for natural sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. About 16 natural sciences degrees were awarded at College Of Western Idaho in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural sciences program make about $40,963 in their early career. College Of Western Idaho graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. See the full natural sciences program report for College Of Western Idaho

10

Erie Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best natural sciences schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. About 10 natural sciences degrees were awarded at Erie Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the natural sciences program make about $37,069 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete this degree. See the full natural sciences program report for Erie Community College

11

Windward Community College earned the #11 position for natural sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Kaneohe, Windward Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 19 natural sciences degrees were awarded at Windward Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Windward Community College generally make around $32,654. Typical student debt for the program is $10,930. Read more about the natural sciences program at Windward Community College

12

Kauai Community College landed the #12 spot for natural sciences this year. Set in the rural area of Lihue, Kauai Community College is a small public institution. Kauai Community College awarded about 10 natural sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Kauai Community College generally make around $23,210. Kauai Community College graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Read more about the natural sciences program at Kauai Community College

13

University Of Hawaii Maui College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best natural sciences schools. Located in the city of Kahului, University Of Hawaii Maui College is a mid-sized public university. University Of Hawaii Maui College graduates 8% of students within six years. About 11 natural sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii Maui College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from University Of Hawaii Maui College generally make around $51,654. Typical student debt for the program is $11,824. Read more about the natural sciences program at University Of Hawaii Maui College

14

Bossier Parish Community College landed the #14 spot for natural sciences this year. Set in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 34 natural sciences degrees were awarded at Bossier Parish Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their natural sciences degree from Bossier Parish Community College earn around $25,713 in the first couple years of their career. Bossier Parish Community College graduates carry a median of $21,610 in student loans. More information about a degree in natural sciences from Bossier Parish Community College

15

Haskell Indian Nations University came in at #15 for natural sciences this year. This small public university is located in the city of Lawrence. There were roughly 14 natural sciences students who graduated with this degree at Haskell Indian Nations University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their natural sciences degree from Haskell Indian Nations University earn around $24,914 in the first couple years of their career. More information about a degree in natural sciences from Haskell Indian Nations University

16

National Park Community College came in at #16 for natural sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Hot Springs, National Park Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 16 natural sciences students who graduated with this degree at National Park Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the natural sciences program make about $42,458 in their early career. National Park Community College graduates carry a median of $14,162 in student loans. Get the full natural sciences details for National Park Community College

Other Natural Sciences Degree Levels

Explore the best natural sciences schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Natural Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in Natural Sciences
Master's Degrees in Natural Sciences
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View All Natural Sciences Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 157 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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