Associate-2% vs national median1,378 grads tracked
Biological and Physical Sciences at Parkland College
Ranked 33rd of 58 associate programs in Biological and Physical Sciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$27,674
middle 50%: $19,777 – $39,246
Median · 5 years out
$47,587
middle 50%: $35,110 – $63,413
Median · 10 years out
$60,780
middle 50%: $44,136 – $85,202
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 graduates from Parkland College earn $28k initially. Median earnings reach $48k after five years and $61k after ten years.
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
9.2 yrs
≈ $11,385 total interest
Same major at other universities
Highland Community College
$48,917 · 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
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
Illinois Valley Community College
$47,084 · 5 yrs out
Lake Land College
$46,485 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at Parkland College
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$105,907 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Associate)
$75,158 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Associate)
$75,158 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$71,774 · 5 yrs out
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$67,042 · 5 yrs out
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Certificate)
$65,986 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$63,723 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$63,208 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Certificate)
$62,468 · 5 yrs out
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Associate)
$61,926 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$60,508 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$59,120 · 5 yrs out