Associate-3% vs national median1,031 grads tracked
Biological and Physical Sciences at Illinois Valley Community College
Ranked 38th of 58 associate programs in Biological and Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$25,825
middle 50%: $19,124 – $34,808
Median · 5 years out
$47,084
middle 50%: $34,493 – $62,915
Median · 10 years out
$59,295
middle 50%: $44,203 – $82,352
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 associates earn $26k in their first year. Median earnings reach $59k after a decade.
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
9.4 yrs
≈ $11,799 total interest
Same major at other universities
Southwestern Illinois College
$47,677 · 5 yrs out
Parkland College
$47,587 · 5 yrs out
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
$47,574 · 5 yrs out
Tidewater Community College
$47,346 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges - Lincoln Trail College
$47,270 · 5 yrs out
Kankakee Community College
$47,089 · 5 yrs out
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
Other majors at Illinois Valley Community College
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$75,035 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$74,545 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$74,545 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$68,338 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$68,254 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$66,438 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Certificate)
$61,332 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$61,304 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$60,961 · 5 yrs out
Transportation and Materials Moving (Certificate)
$60,613 · 5 yrs out
Ground Transportation (Certificate)
$60,613 · 5 yrs out