Associate-8% vs national median109 grads tracked
Biological and Physical Sciences at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges - Wabash Valley College
Ranked 45th of 58 associate programs in Biological and Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$23,592
middle 50%: $17,986 – $31,293
Median · 5 years out
$44,515
middle 50%: $29,502 – $58,934
Median · 10 years out
$56,235
middle 50%: $40,274 – $84,610
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 $24k in their first year. Salaries grow to $45k by year five.
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
10 yrs
≈ $12,725 total interest
Same major at other universities
Lake Land College
$46,485 · 5 yrs out
Virginia Western Community College
$46,194 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Illinois College
$46,127 · 5 yrs out
John Wood Community College
$45,643 · 5 yrs out
South Suburban College
$45,372 · 5 yrs out
John A. Logan College
$44,706 · 5 yrs out
Carl Sandburg College
$44,463 · 5 yrs out
Prairie State College
$44,308 · 5 yrs out
Spoon River College
$44,073 · 5 yrs out
Morton College
$44,017 · 5 yrs out
Laramie County Community College
$43,798 · 5 yrs out
Lewis and Clark Community College
$43,792 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges - Wabash Valley College
Mining and Petroleum Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$62,571 · 5 yrs out
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$62,571 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$59,452 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$57,688 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$56,877 · 5 yrs out
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$52,490 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Associate)
$51,789 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$51,789 · 5 yrs out
Agricultural Business and Management (Associate)
$50,725 · 5 yrs out