Physical Science Technology at Kilgore College

Kilgore, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Physical Science Technologies/Technicians

with a smaller student body of 3,133 in Kilgore, TX.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $68,335 put Kilgore College's Physical Science Technology program 26% above the national median of $54,443 — one of the higher-earning programs in this field.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 165.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Physical Science Technology programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Physical Science Technology's career paths, with 37% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $68,335 far exceeding the $14,417 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #2 of 17 nationally, this is a top-5% Physical Science Technology program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Physical Science Technology offers 8 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

72 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
72
Score
74
High End
Earnings $68,335/yr (26% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (63% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,600 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$68K
Reported median after graduation
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
165.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,320
Out-of-state: $10,512
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,417
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$59,154
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Physical Science Technology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chemical plant and system operators $73,540 -6.1% 85%
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other $60,130 +3.5% 45%
Hydrologic technicians $58,570 -2.1% 50%
Chemical plant and system operators
$73,540
-6.1% growth 85% AI-proof
Life, physical, and social science technicians, all other
$60,130
+3.5% growth 45% AI-proof
Hydrologic technicians
$58,570
-2.1% growth 50% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

Physical Science Technology Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Physical Science Technology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Kilgore College and 16 other schools.

Read the full Physical Science Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Physical Science Technology Overview

Physical Science Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Kilgore College

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Physical Science Technology at Kilgore College?
This program scores 72/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Physical Science Technology nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, hands-on AI resilience, and solid financial return.
How affordable is Physical Science Technology at Kilgore College?
Median debt of just $14,417 against $68,335/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.
What makes Kilgore College's Physical Science Technology program stand out?
The #2 ranking out of 17 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Physical Science Technology?
Beyond Kilgore College's classroom route, 8 registered apprenticeships map to Physical Science Technology careers — including Chemical Engineering Technician. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →