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Biological and Physical Sciences at Cerritos College

Norwalk, CA · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 18,710 students in Norwalk, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $25,221 track close to the $26,356 national median for Biological and Physical Sciences programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 154.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 28% task exposure — and the 40% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates.

Ranked #6 out of 43 programs, Cerritos College's Biological and Physical Sciences program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $25,221 to $61,587 over five years (144% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
58
Score
59
High End
Earnings $25,221/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$443K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
162.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
3 of 3
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$2,728
Out-of-state: $24,008
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,587
144% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Natural sciences managers $161,180 +3.7% 50%
Postsecondary teachers, all other $78,490 +1.8% 100%
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education $64,580 -1.6% 67%
Natural sciences managers
$161,180
+3.7% growth 50% AI-proof
Postsecondary teachers, all other
$78,490
+1.8% growth 100% AI-proof
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
$64,580
-1.6% growth 67% AI-proof

About Biological and Physical Sciences Careers

Your career in the sciences likely begins in a classroom or a lab. As a secondary school teacher, you’ll spend your days guiding students through everything from frog dissections to chemical reactions, planning engaging lessons, and setting up lab equipment. Another path is postsecondary teaching, which involves more university-level lecturing, independent research, and mentoring future scientists.

Read the full Biological and Physical Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Biological and Physical Sciences Overview

View all 43 schools offering Biological and Physical Sciences →

Biological and Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Laurel Ridge Community College ($37,850) College of Lake County ($37,724) Riverside City College ($33,201) City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College ($33,115) Modesto Junior College ($31,960) Shasta College ($31,415) Tidewater Community College ($30,605) Joliet Junior College ($30,509)

Other Majors at Cerritos College

Business Administration, Management and Operations ($56,738) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($34,175) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($18,208) Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services ($13,133)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Biological and Physical Sciences degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 58/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Biological and Physical Sciences at Cerritos College?
This program scores 58/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates.
What makes Cerritos College's Biological and Physical Sciences program stand out?
Ranked #6 of 43 programs nationally, Cerritos College lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
How could AI change the job market for Biological and Physical Sciences graduates?
AI sensitivity is moderate-to-notable: a 40% difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes. The base case — our most likely scenario — falls between these extremes.
Is there demand for Biological and Physical Sciences workers?
The career paths mapped to Biological and Physical Sciences have roughly 88,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →