Associate+6% vs national median833 grads tracked
Biological and Physical Sciences at College of Lake County
Ranked 15th of 58 associate programs in Biological and Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$28,915
middle 50%: $21,341 – $44,084
Median · 5 years out
$51,353
middle 50%: $36,855 – $71,352
Median · 10 years out
$71,026
middle 50%: $50,601 – $95,241
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Biological and Physical Sciences (associate) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Biological and Physical Sciences associate degree holders earn $28,915 initially. Median earnings rise to $71,026 by year ten.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
8.4 yrs
≈ $10,506 total interest
Same major at other universities
Elgin Community College
$53,449 · 5 yrs out
Moraine Valley Community College
$52,537 · 5 yrs out
Triton College
$52,254 · 5 yrs out
Kaskaskia College
$52,031 · 5 yrs out
Waubonsee Community College
$51,991 · 5 yrs out
City Colleges of Chicago - Harold Washington College
$51,537 · 5 yrs out
Heartland Community College
$51,252 · 5 yrs out
Blue Ridge Community College
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Lincoln Land Community College
$50,300 · 5 yrs out
Rock Valley College
$50,243 · 5 yrs out
Richland Community College
$49,630 · 5 yrs out
Black Hawk College
$49,594 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at College of Lake County
Fire Protection (Associate)
$112,340 · 5 yrs out
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$86,717 · 5 yrs out
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Certificate)
$86,086 · 5 yrs out
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Certificate)
$85,430 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$80,647 · 5 yrs out
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$78,110 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$76,582 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$74,878 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate)
$74,872 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$74,872 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$74,301 · 5 yrs out