Associate+1% vs national median382 grads tracked
Biological and Physical Sciences at Highland Community College
Ranked 27th of 58 associate programs in Biological and Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$26,010
middle 50%: $19,246 – $34,683
Median · 5 years out
$48,917
middle 50%: $35,894 – $65,905
Median · 10 years out
$65,590
middle 50%: $47,355 – $89,121
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 majors at Highland Community College see a median starting salary of $26k. By year five, the median income reaches $49k.
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
9 yrs
≈ $11,343 total interest
Same major at other universities
Black Hawk College
$49,594 · 5 yrs out
Kishwaukee College
$49,537 · 5 yrs out
City Colleges of Chicago - Wilbur Wright College
$49,371 · 5 yrs out
Sauk Valley Community College
$49,345 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges - Olney Central College
$49,095 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Peninsula Community College
$48,960 · 5 yrs out
Northern Virginia Community College
$48,550 · 5 yrs out
Piedmont Virginia Community College
$48,487 · 5 yrs out
McHenry County College
$47,899 · 5 yrs out
City Colleges of Chicago - Richard J. Daley College
$47,856 · 5 yrs out
Southwestern Illinois College
$47,677 · 5 yrs out
Parkland College
$47,587 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Highland Community College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$71,367 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$67,989 · 5 yrs out
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$63,346 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Certificate)
$58,197 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$58,100 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$52,283 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$49,351 · 5 yrs out
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (Associate)
$48,917 · 5 yrs out
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Associate)
$43,047 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Associate)
$42,146 · 5 yrs out