Biological and Physical Sciences at Lewis and Clark Community College

Godfrey, IL · Public · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 2,252 students in Godfrey, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,320 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.

With a 64.4x 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.

At $6,500 in median debt against $27,320 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #18 ranking among 43 Biological and Physical Sciences programs places Lewis and Clark Community College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $27,320-to-$46,089 earnings arc over five years reflects a 69% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
51
Score
53
High End
Earnings $27,320/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$479K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
67.5x
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)
$7,104
Out-of-state: $25,104
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,500
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,089
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 Lewis and Clark Community 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 Lewis and Clark Community College's Biological and Physical Sciences program score?
This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates.
How affordable is Biological and Physical Sciences at Lewis and Clark Community College?
At $6,500 in median debt, Biological and Physical Sciences graduates from Lewis and Clark Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
How could AI change the job market for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates?
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.
How many job openings are there for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates?
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 →