Biological & Physical Sciences at Waubonsee Community College

Sugar Grove, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Biological and Physical Sciences

with a mid-sized student body of 5,499 in Sugar Grove, IL.

Program Analysis

At $24,939/yr, Biological & Physical Sciences graduates from Waubonsee Community College land near the $26,356 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

The 60.8x 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 & Physical Sciences graduates.

The median debt load of $6,240 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

At #22 out of 43 programs, Waubonsee Community College's financial outcomes for Biological & Physical Sciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $24,939 to $50,683 over five years (103% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

49 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
49
Score
51
High End
Earnings $24,939/yr (-5% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$438K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
63.8x
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)
$6,864
Out-of-state: $24,660
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,240
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,683
103% 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

Biological & Physical Sciences opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Biological & Physical Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Biological & Physical Sciences Overview

Biological & Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Waubonsee Community College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 49/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Biological & Physical Sciences at Waubonsee Community College?
At 49/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biological & Physical Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the typical debt for Biological & Physical Sciences graduates from Waubonsee Community College?
Median debt of just $6,240 against $24,939/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What's the AI uncertainty for Biological & Physical Sciences careers?
Our model shows a 40% 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. Waubonsee Community College graduates enter a market shaped by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →