Biological and Physical Sciences at College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, IL · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 15,185 students in Glen Ellyn, IL.

Program Analysis

At $22,654/yr, Biological and Physical Sciences graduates from College of DuPage land near the $26,356 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 43.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 40% 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.

The median debt load of $10,664 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #33 ranking among 43 Biological and Physical Sciences programs places College of DuPage in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $22,654-to-$38,303 earnings arc over five years reflects a 69% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
37
Low End
43
Score
45
High End
Earnings $22,654/yr (-14% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$398K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
46.0x
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)
$8,640
Out-of-state: $25,020
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,664
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,303
69% growth from Year 1

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 College of DuPage

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Biological and Physical Sciences at College of DuPage?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Biological and Physical Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How sensitive is Biological and Physical Sciences to AI disruption?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 40% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
Is there demand for Biological and Physical Sciences workers?
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 →