Biological and Physical Sciences associate's degree programs in Illinois

Compare 36 reporting programs using the same federal field and associate's degree credential definition. Earnings are observed four years after completion.

36Programs reporting earnings

$49,153Median year-4 earnings

$8,250Median federal debt

26Programs reporting debt

OUTCOME SPREAD

Highest reported earnings in Illinois

Each bar uses the same field, credential, state and earnings year.

1Elgin Community CollegeElgin · Debt not reported$67,323 2Heartland Community CollegeNormal · $11,000 federal debt$62,651 3Joliet Junior CollegeJoliet · $6,500 federal debt$60,852 4City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman CollegeChicago · $9,500 federal debt$54,410 5William Rainey Harper CollegePalatine · $8,250 federal debt$54,379 6Kaskaskia CollegeCentralia · Debt not reported$53,633 7City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright CollegeChicago · $5,583 federal debt$53,058 8City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley CollegeChicago · $8,250 federal debt$52,454 9Triton CollegeRiver Grove · $10,984 federal debt$52,421 10College of DuPageGlen Ellyn · $10,664 federal debt$52,007

CAREER CONTEXT IN IL

What related occupations pay in Illinois

These are common occupational matches for this field, ranked by the strength of the federal education-to-occupation match.

11-9121Natural Sciences Managers

State median wage: $159,670
Middle 50% wage range: $115,190–$208,440
State employment: 2,810
Projected growth: +8.2%
Annual openings: 9,200

10th–90th percentile: $85,210–$281,660

25-2031Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

State median wage: $79,990
Middle 50% wage range: $62,330–$104,670
State employment: 44,670
Projected growth: -0.2%
Annual openings: 63,500

10th–90th percentile: $49,020–$135,960

25-1199Postsecondary Teachers, All Other

State median wage: $59,590
Middle 50% wage range: $31,200–$76,790
State employment: 990
Projected growth: +2.0%
Annual openings: 12,500

10th–90th percentile: $31,200–$108,510

Career wages and employment are BLS estimates for everyone working in each occupation in Illinois; they are not earnings or placement rates for graduates of these programs. Wage ranges show the distribution across workers, not an entry-to-experienced career path. Growth and annual openings are national 2025–35 projections. BLS reports openings in thousands; DegreeVerdict displays the corresponding job count. These figures provide labor-market context and are not used in DegreeVerdict payoff or ROI calculations.

ALL REPORTING PROGRAMS

Compare every available outcome

Sorted by observed year-4 earnings. Open a row for its exact college-and-degree profile.

#	College	City	Median year-4 earnings	Median federal debt
1	Elgin Community College	Elgin	$67,323	Not available
2	Heartland Community College	Normal	$62,651	$11,000
3	Joliet Junior College	Joliet	$60,852	$6,500
4	City Colleges of Chicago-Harry S Truman College	Chicago	$54,410	$9,500
5	William Rainey Harper College	Palatine	$54,379	$8,250
6	Kaskaskia College	Centralia	$53,633	Not available
7	City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College	Chicago	$53,058	$5,583
8	City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College	Chicago	$52,454	$8,250
9	Triton College	River Grove	$52,421	$10,984
10	College of DuPage	Glen Ellyn	$52,007	$10,664
11	City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College	Chicago	$51,025	$8,750
12	Lincoln Land Community College	Springfield	$50,823	$10,000
13	Illinois Valley Community College	Oglesby	$50,741	$6,363
14	Morton College	Cicero	$50,393	$6,000
15	Black Hawk College	Moline	$50,172	$5,500
16	Waubonsee Community College	Sugar Grove	$49,992	$8,067
17	McHenry County College	Crystal Lake	$49,990	$7,500
18	Parkland College	Champaign	$49,181	$8,628
19	College of Lake County	Grayslake	$49,153	$7,833
20	City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College	Chicago	$49,098	$9,500
21	Oakton College	Des Plaines	$48,644	Not available
22	Moraine Valley Community College	Palos Hills	$48,554	$6,500
23	Lake Land College	Mattoon	$48,077	Not available
24	Rock Valley College	Rockford	$47,679	$6,632
25	City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X College	Chicago	$47,500	$8,965
26	Southwestern Illinois College	Belleville	$47,418	$6,196
27	City Colleges of Chicago-Olive-Harvey College	Chicago	$47,366	$5,500
28	Lewis and Clark Community College	Godfrey	$46,834	$8,315
29	Kishwaukee College	Malta	$46,128	$9,407
30	Sauk Valley Community College	Dixon	$45,005	Not available
31	South Suburban College	South Holland	$44,903	$8,271
32	Richland Community College	Decatur	$44,259	Not available
33	John Wood Community College	Quincy	$43,445	Not available
34	Rend Lake College	Ina	$41,686	Not available
35	Shawnee Community College	Ullin	$41,226	Not available
36	Highland Community College	Freeport	$41,202	Not available

This is an observed-outcomes comparison, not a universal quality ranking. Missing and privacy-suppressed programs are excluded.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A quick read on Biological and Physical Sciences in Illinois

What do Biological and Physical Sciences associate's degree graduates earn in Illinois?

Across 36 reporting programs, the median observed earnings figure is $49,153 four years after completion.

How much federal debt is reported for these programs?

The median is $8,250 among the 26 programs reporting federal debt.

Which Illinois colleges report the highest earnings for this degree?

The table compares the same federal field, credential and earnings year. Elgin Community College has the highest reported figure among the programs shown.