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Biological and Physical Sciences at Santa Ana College

Santa Ana, CA · Public · Associate Degree

serving a student body of 22,011 in Santa Ana, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,393 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.

The 180.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 40% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates.

Ranked #7 out of 43 programs, Santa Ana College's Biological and Physical Sciences program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $25,393 to $47,876 over five years (89% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
58
Score
60
High End
Earnings $25,393/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$446K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
188.8x
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)
$2,360
Out-of-state: $18,920
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$47,876
89% 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

View all 43 schools offering Biological and Physical Sciences →

Biological and 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 Santa Ana College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($98,493) Fire Protection ($53,847) Fire Protection ($46,660) Precision Metal Working ($45,864) Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies ($36,380) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($30,315) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($30,117) Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services ($28,687)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Biological and Physical Sciences degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Santa Ana College's Biological and Physical Sciences program score?
This program scores 58/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates.
What makes Santa Ana College's Biological and Physical Sciences program stand out?
Among 43 Biological and Physical Sciences programs, Santa Ana College's #7 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
How could AI change the job market for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates?
Our model shows a 40% gap between best and worst-case decade earnings. AI is unlikely to eliminate Biological and Physical Sciences careers, but it could reduce positions in some specializations.
How many job openings are there for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates?
The career paths mapped to Biological and Physical Sciences have roughly 88,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →