[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Are you looking for a degree that can lead to a flexible and financially rewarding career? Then for STEM-lovers looking to make a difference in the world, a [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare/health-science/”]health science degree[/hen-ui-link] may be the right fit.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduates with health science degrees can secure well-paying jobs in:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Administration[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Research[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Communications[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Counseling[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Education[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Professionals work as claims reviewers, medical records administrators, medical laboratory technicians, healthcare interpreters, and clinical social workers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The interdisciplinary lessons covered in a health science major give graduates several career paths in a thriving industry. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects STEM occupations to increase by 10.4% from 2023-2033, faster than the average for all occupations. Those working in STEM jobs also earn a median annual wage higher than the median for all other occupations.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Keep reading to learn how you can make a difference with a versatile health science degree and secure a high-paying job.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online Health Science Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]What to Know About Getting a Health Science Degree[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]What is health science? A health science degree requires students to complete their core education credits in:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Statistics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Psychology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Human anatomy and physiology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Physics[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Chemistry[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Students studying health science often focus on different fields through concentrations or electives. Concentrations include, but are not limited to:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Biomedical science[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Healthcare administration and leadership[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Social and behavioral sciences[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This versatile degree offers many career advantages, [hen-ui-link href=”/healthcare/health-science/salary/”]high salary potential for health science[/hen-ui-link], and varied job opportunities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-text tag=”strong” weight=”bold”]Read more:[/hen-ui-text] What Are the Most In-Demand Jobs in Health Science?[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]A Health Science Degree Is Versatile[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduates who hold a health science degree can access many job opportunities in healthcare, unlike more specific degrees. For example, the interdisciplinary curriculum of a health science degree prepares students to work in:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Medicine[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Pharmacology[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Law and health policy[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Business or nonprofit[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Advocacy[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”A degree in health sciences allows individuals numerous lucrative career routes while also making a positive impact on society,” says Summer McGee, president of Salem Academy and College and Ph.D. in bioethics and health policy.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]STEM jobs make a median annual salary of $103,580. Meanwhile careers in healthcare are projected to grow much faster than all other occupations, according to the BLS. Employers in healthcare expect to add 1.9 million job opportunities from 2023-2033.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]You Can Make a Difference With a Health Science Degree[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Earning a health science degree gives graduates a chance to make a difference in the world at a pivotal moment in history. The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped our society’s priorities and heightened the importance of healthcare.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”Because 65% of Gen Z wants to personally create something to change the world — health is an industry ripe for radical change, and this makes a health sciences major a great choice for them,” says McGee.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2020/05/14/on-the-cusp-of-adulthood-and-facing-an-uncertain-future-what-we-know-about-gen-z-so-far-2/” target=”_blank”]Pew Research Center[/hen-ui-link], more Gen Zers attend college and have college-educated parents than millennials. Some 57% of people 18-21 years old attend college, while 52% of millennials in 2003 and 43% of Gen X in 1987 attended higher education institutions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]A Bachelor’s in Health Science Prepares You for Ample Job Opportunities[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Every college degree comes at a financial cost, but pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health science offers a great return on your investment in a field rich with opportunity. Gainful careers await health science majors at all education levels.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”While many individuals who obtain an undergraduate degree in health sciences go on to pursue a master’s, it is not required for many health-science career paths, unlike other majors,” says McGee.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in health science find jobs as:[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health educators[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Patient care advocates[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered dietitians[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Registered radiologic technologists[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Research assistants[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Depending on the job, graduates may need additional certification.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Is a Degree in Health Science Worth It?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]A health science degree features an interdisciplinary education that does not pigeonhole students in one job. This well-rounded education allows graduates many choices in their career paths.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”Many college students don’t know exactly what they want to do in the future and want to ensure their degree provides career path flexibility,” says McGee.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Jobs open to bachelor’s degree-holders, such as health educators and community health workers, earn a median annual wage of $63,000, while radiologic and MRI technologists make around $78,980 a year.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Beyond financial stability, health science degrees prepare graduates for fulfilling careers.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]”We are seeing a pattern within students — they want to have a career that provides financial security while also allowing them to make a difference. A health science degree offers both,” says McGee.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Is a Degree in Health Science Right for Me?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Health science degree graduates share common goals and traits. McGee points out that graduates with a health science degree need to be problem-solvers, big thinkers, and visionaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As students build their competencies in core concepts, such as writing, critical thinking, and oral and written communication, the interdisciplinary classwork in a health science major provides the foundation needed for many occupations in healthcare.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Many health science majors also offer specialized training in concentrations like anesthesia technology, radiologic technology, and radiation therapy. Students can further hone their skills through [hen-ui-link href=”/degrees/msn/best-online-health-informatics-programs/”]credentials in healthcare informatics[/hen-ui-link], business, and technical communications.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]The Bottom Line[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Today’s problems require professionals with a well-rounded education and a passion for making a difference. As of May 2025, the [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag65.htm”]BLS[/hen-ui-link] reported 1,702 job openings in education and health services.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]With a firm foundation in math, science, communication, and the social sciences, health science majors have an edge when entering the job market. Graduates can increase their marketability by studying a specific area of healthcare.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Whatever field you study, consider McGee’s advice: “Find your passion and pursue it tirelessly.” She adds, “Find a challenge in health science that you are passionate about solving — then, look into the skills needed to tackle that challenge and develop those during your educational journey.”[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Meet Our Contributor[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”lg”][hen-ui-expert-bio name=”Summer McGee, Ph.D., CPH” img-src=”https://res.cloudinary.com/highereducation/image/upload/c_fill,h_300,w_300,f_auto,fl_lossy,q_auto:eco/e_grayscale/v1627070249/experts/20210525_salem_08b.jpg” img-alt=”Summer McGee, Ph.D., CPH” layout=”horizontal” background=”white” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ slot=”contentRight”]Summer McGee is the current president of Salem Academy and a former founding dean of the School of Health and Sciences at University of New Haven. McGee holds a Ph.D. in bioethics and health policy from the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and graduated summa cum laude with a BA in philosophy and a BA in bioethics from Indiana University Bloomington. She also is a graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Education Management Development Program.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”font-size:small; font-style:italic;”]Featured Image: Stígur Már Karlsson/Heimsmyndir / E+ / Getty Images[/hen-ui-text]