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Biological & Physical Sciences at Northern Virginia Community College

Annandale, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Biological and Physical Sciences

serving a student body of 31,737 in Annandale, VA.

Program Analysis

At $21,923 per year, Biological & Physical Sciences graduates from Northern Virginia Community College earn below the $26,356 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

With a 32.2x 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 & Physical Sciences career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $9,875 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #41 ranking among 43 Biological & Physical Sciences programs places Northern Virginia Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $21,923-to-$46,948 earnings arc over five years reflects a 114% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

40 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
34
Low End
40
Score
41
High End
Earnings $21,923/yr (-17% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$385K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
33.7x
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)
$11,406
Out-of-state: $23,572
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,875
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,948
114% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Biological & 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

Biological & Physical Sciences Career Guide

What can you do with a Biological & Physical Sciences credential from Northern Virginia Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Biological & Physical Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Biological & Physical Sciences Overview

View all 43 schools offering Biological & Physical Sciences →

Biological & Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Laurel Ridge Community College ($37,850) College of Lake County ($37,724) Riverside City College ($33,201) City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College ($33,115) Modesto Junior College ($31,960) Shasta College ($31,415) Tidewater Community College ($30,605) Joliet Junior College ($30,509)

Other Majors at Northern Virginia Community College

Allied Health Professions ($74,050) Nursing ($72,905) Dental Assisting ($70,727) IT Management ($54,742) Computer Science ($48,889) Business Administration ($47,527) Legal Support Services ($45,915) Veterinary Technology ($42,966)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Biological & Physical Sciences degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Biological & Physical Sciences at Northern Virginia Community College?
This program scores 40/100 — on the lower end for Biological & Physical Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Can you still earn well with Biological & Physical Sciences from Northern Virginia Community College?
Starting salary is one data point. If Northern Virginia Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
How sensitive is Biological & Physical Sciences to AI disruption?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Biological & Physical Sciences are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
Is there demand for Biological & Physical Sciences workers?
The career paths mapped to Biological & Physical Sciences have roughly 88,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →