by our College Data Analytics TeamStudents who major in Science, Technology, and Society examine the relationship between science and society. This involves the history of science and technology within social contexts, as well as examining ethical questions created by scientific innovations.
This is a dynamic multidisciplinary major that explores social and cultural changes from the development of science and technology. Students will gain a strong understanding of the technical and social dimensions within science and technology. Some of the courses you will take include: computer science, technology, engineering, journalism, government, history, political science, sociology, and psychology.
A major in Science, Technology & Society involves the study of Science, Technology And Society. Continue reading for the important information every science, technology & society student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering science, technology & society programs.
Across the country, science, technology & society draws strong interest, with 788 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Science, Technology & Society Schools ranking analyzes these 46 schools to determine the best overall colleges for science, technology & society students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of science, technology & society programs later in this article.
Studies in Science, Technology & Society emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations science, technology & society graduates commonly enter.
This is an ideal major for a student who is curious about human behavior and society. You will gain analytical and critical thinking skills as you research complex issues. Be prepared to clearly develop your ideas in writing and master difficulty terminology. Some of your studies will involve art and literature as well as science and technology; you will need to be able to make connections between seemingly unrelated subjects.
This is a challenging, but engaging major. Teamwork will be necessary as you collaborate with lab partners and develop group presentations. Listen and learn from other people's perspectives as you work. Time management skills will help you organize your coursework and complete readings, assignments, lab work, and research papers.
The skill set developed in a science, technology & society program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a science, technology & society major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several science, technology & society 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 | 4 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 625 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 123 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 36 |
People currently working in careers related to science, technology & society tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 53.4% |
| Master’s degree | 12.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 7.7% |
| Some college courses | 6.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 5.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 3.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.5% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in science, technology & society careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in Science, Technology, and Society is excellent training for many different occupations. You will be able to translate your skills to business, law, public service, engineering, medicine, government, journalism, research, management, and education. Your dream degree may require you to continue your schooling and you will be prepared to enter almost any graduate program. Because this major is so broad, take some time while still in explore to explore various career options that you are interested in.
Studying science, technology & society prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to science, technology & society.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to science, technology & society.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of science, technology & society graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $47,991 |
| 4 years | $72,006 |
| 5 years | $81,090 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for science, technology & society graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers science, technology & society grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
With 46 different science, technology & society programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased science, technology & society school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in science, technology & society, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Science, Technology and Society | 788 |
| 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.
