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Biological & Physical Sciences at Parkland College

Champaign, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Biological and Physical Sciences

a compact campus enrolling 3,293 students in Champaign, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $26,547 track close to the $26,356 national median for Biological & Physical Sciences programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 51.9x 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 & Physical Sciences career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $7,000 in median debt against $26,547 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #23 ranking among 43 Biological & Physical Sciences programs places Parkland College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $26,547-to-$50,169 earnings arc over five years reflects a 89% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

48 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
48
Score
50
High End
Earnings $26,547/yr (1% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$466K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
54.4x
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)
$8,568
Out-of-state: $26,532
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,000
3.2 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,169
89% 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 Parkland 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 Parkland College

Allied Health Professions ($55,060) Vehicle Repair Technology ($51,093) Dental Assisting ($47,133) Veterinary Technology ($39,246) Medical Assisting ($36,872) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($26,912)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Biological & Physical Sciences degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Biological & Physical Sciences at Parkland College?
This program scores 48/100 — on the lower end for Biological & Physical Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How affordable is Biological & Physical Sciences at Parkland College?
At $7,000 in median debt, Biological & Physical Sciences graduates from Parkland College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
How sensitive is Biological & 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.
Will Biological & Physical Sciences graduates from Parkland College find jobs?
At 88,200 annual openings, Biological & Physical Sciences has a large employment base. Parkland College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →