Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Senior project scientist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a senior project scientist. Senior project scientists usually study chemistry, biology, or geology. 62% of senior project scientists hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 143 real senior project scientist resumes to see exactly what senior project scientist education sections show.
The most common colleges for senior project scientists are the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of California, Santa Barbara.
There are also many online senior project scientist courses to help get the education required to be a senior project scientist.
What education do you need to become a senior project scientist?
What degree do you need to be a senior project scientist?
- Bachelor's, 62%
- Master's, 20%
- Doctorate, 13%
- Associate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a senior project scientist?
Most common colleges for senior project scientists
| Senior project scientist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 13.51% |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro | 8.11% |
| Oklahoma State University | 8.11% |
| North Carolina State University | 5.41% |
| University of Colorado at Colorado Springs | 5.41% |
Best majors for senior project scientists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chemistry | 23.3% |
| 2 | Biology | 12.6% |
| 3 | Geology | 9.7% |
| 4 | Environmental Science | 9.7% |
| 5 | Ecology, Population Biology, And Epidemiology | 6.8% |
Best colleges for senior project scientists
The best colleges for senior project scientists are Duke University, Harvard University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
A senior project scientist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for senior project scientists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become senior project scientists.
1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
2. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
3. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
6. University of California - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$13,226
Enrollment
31,568
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
8. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$53,430
Enrollment
5,963
9. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
10. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
20 best online courses for senior project scientists
Advertising disclosure
1. Engineering Project Management: Risk, Quality, Teams, and Procurement
Many Project Managers focus only on the scope, schedule and budget. However, a successful project requires that you manage risk, control the quality of the deliverables, engage and manage people and procure goods and services. This course will focus on these key support functions that make the difference between a highly successful project and an average one. During the course, you will prepare a Qualitative Risk Analysis and Evaluate the Cost of Quality for a provided Case Study. By the end of...
2. Project Management - Complete Guide For A+ Project Managers
Complete guide to project management - stakeholders, planning, cost, quality, risks, feasibility, methods & resourcing...
3. Projects Cost Management, Estimating, Budgeting and Control.
Learn how to estimate costs for any project, how to determine budget and how to use Earned Value Management tools. 3 PDU...
4. The Agile Methodology for Project Risk Managers
The Agile Project Management and Risk Management for Project Professionals Full Course...
5. Master Course in Project Management 2.0
Project Management, PMP, Agile project management, Project manager, Prince2, Scrum, Project Planning, Project risk cost...
6. Project Management Fundamentals: Risk Management
Without risk, there can be no reward. Learn how to your risks it into your allies...
7. IT Project Budget & Cost Management
Project Management tips to manage a million dollar IT Project budget from start to finish...
8. Introduction to Compliance Risk Management CRM
Compliance risk management CRM for Compliance, Risk Management, Internal Audit and IS Security Professionals...
9. Mastering Agile Scrum Project Management
Review and master agile development & scrum methodologies for your career...
10. Project Management Professional Certification Program (PMP)
Your Guide to the Gold Standard of Project Management Certifications (PMI-PMP) (PMBOK7 updated) (40 PDUs minimum)...
11. Agile Crash Course: Agile Project Management; Agile Delivery
Agile Project Management Basics (Scrum) & Agile Project Management Essentials (Scrum). Plus Agile Certification (Scrum)...
12. Cost of Quality Analysis and Reporting using Microsoft Excel
Expertly collect, analyze and present quality cost data (using Microsoft Excel) to help drive continual improvement...
13. Project Risk Management
Practice of identifying , analyzing, prioritizing and mitigating risks...
14. Project Management: Cost & Schedule Monitoring using EVM
Earned Value Management, Project Management, Cost Control & Monitor, Budget, Schedule & Cost Variance, Performance Index...
15. Project Management Fundamentals
Practical Project Management worked example using Gantt Charts, PMI, PMP, APM...
16. Learn Risk Management: Risk Planning in Agile and Scrum
Complete Risk Management and Risk Planning Training: Identify Project Risks, Create Risk Plan and Monitor Risks in Scrum...
17. Project Management Fundamentals: Run projects effectively
Learn how to effectively analyze, plan, execute, and manage projects that consistently accomplish company objectives...
18. Mastering Construction/Project Management
Mastering Construction-Project Management in less than 10 Hours...
19. The Project Management Course: Beginner to PROject Manager
The Complete Course For Becoming A Successful Project Manager...
20. Project Management: the Fundamentals
Master the basics of project management. Discover the steps to manage your projects effectively...
Top 10 most affordable universities for senior project scientists
The most affordable schools for senior project scientists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for senior project scientists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for senior project scientists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior project scientists
The hardest universities for senior project scientists to get into are Duke University, Harvard University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.
Some great schools for senior project scientists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for senior project scientists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
4. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
5. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
8. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
9. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior project scientists
The easiest schools for senior project scientists to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, d'youville college, and barry university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior project scientist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for senior project scientists.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
3. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
4. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
5. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
6. The University of Texas at El Paso
El Paso, TX • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,035
7. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
8. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
9. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
10. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
Average senior project scientist salary by education level
| Senior project scientist education level | Senior project scientist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $103,401 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $101,568 |
| Doctorate Degree | $108,097 |
Senior project scientist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.
Search for senior project scientist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025