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Biological & Physical Sciences at Riverside City College

Riverside, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Biological and Physical Sciences

with a mid-sized student body of 17,361 in Riverside, CA.

Program Analysis

Riverside City College Biological & Physical Sciences graduates command $33,201/yr out of the gate, well above the $26,356 national median. That 26% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 185.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 37% 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $8,500 in median debt clears fast against $33,201 in annual earnings.

Riverside City College ranks #2 among 43 Biological & Physical Sciences programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The $33,201-to-$50,093 earnings arc over five years reflects a 51% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
64
Score
66
High End
Earnings $33,201/yr (26% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$551K
10.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
193.9x
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)
$2,840
Out-of-state: $22,460
Median Debt at Graduation
$8,500
3.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,093
51% 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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Biological & Physical Sciences careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

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) 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) City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College ($30,203)

Other Majors at Riverside City College

Nursing ($89,869) Environmental Technology ($48,911) Business Administration ($32,537) Liberal Arts & Humanities ($27,524) Criminal Justice ($25,824) Health & Physical Education ($25,516) Cosmetology ($13,431)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Biological & Physical Sciences degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Biological & Physical Sciences at Riverside City College?
A score of 64/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biological & Physical Sciences field.
How affordable is Biological & Physical Sciences at Riverside City College?
At $8,500 in median debt, Biological & Physical Sciences graduates from Riverside City College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.3x is well below the trade program average.
Why does Riverside City College rank so high for Biological & Physical Sciences?
The #2 ranking out of 43 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
How could AI change the job market for Biological & Physical Sciences graduates?
Our model shows a 37% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Biological & Physical Sciences careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
How many job openings are there for Biological & Physical Sciences graduates?
With approximately 88,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Biological & Physical Sciences offers a large employment pool. Riverside City College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →