Biological and Physical Sciences at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College

Chicago, IL · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 2,248 in Chicago, IL.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $24,111/yr, roughly in line with the $26,356 national median for Biological and Physical Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 28.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Biological and Physical Sciences career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

With first-year pay of $24,111 far exceeding the $7,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

A #39 ranking among 43 Biological and Physical Sciences programs places City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

40 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
39
Low End
40
Score
42
High End
Earnings $24,111/yr (-9% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$252K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
28.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
3 of 3
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$8,760
Out-of-state: $28,860
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,000
3.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Natural sciences managers $161,180 +3.7% 50%
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580 -1.6% 67%
Natural sciences managers
$161,180
+3.7% growth 50% AI-proof
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
$64,580
-1.6% growth 67% AI-proof

About Biological and Physical Sciences Careers

Your career in the sciences likely begins in a classroom or a lab. As a secondary school teacher, you’ll spend your days guiding students through everything from frog dissections to chemical reactions, planning engaging lessons, and setting up lab equipment. Another path is postsecondary teaching, which involves more university-level lecturing, independent research, and mentoring future scientists.

Read the full Biological and Physical Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Biological and Physical Sciences Overview

Biological and Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Biological and Physical Sciences at City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College?
At 40/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biological and Physical Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the typical debt for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates from City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College?
Median debt of just $7,000 against $24,111/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Is there demand for Biological and Physical Sciences workers?
With approximately 88,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Biological and Physical Sciences offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →