Biological and Physical Sciences at City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College

Chicago, IL · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 1,425 in Chicago, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,939 track close to the $26,356 national median for Biological and Physical Sciences programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 32.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates.

At #32 out of 43 programs, City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College's financial outcomes for Biological and Physical Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
43
Score
44
High End
Earnings $26,939/yr (2% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$282K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
32.2x
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

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-Olive-Harvey College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College's Biological and Physical Sciences program score?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Biological and Physical Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How many job openings are there for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates?
The career paths mapped to Biological and Physical Sciences have roughly 88,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →