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Biological & Physical Sciences at College of DuPage

Glen Ellyn, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Biological and Physical Sciences

enrolling 15,185 students in Glen Ellyn, IL.

Program Analysis

At $22,654/yr, Biological & Physical Sciences graduates from College of DuPage land near the $26,356 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

With a 43.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 40% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Biological & Physical Sciences career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

The median debt load of $10,664 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #33 ranking among 43 Biological & Physical Sciences programs places College of DuPage in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $22,654-to-$38,303 earnings arc over five years reflects a 69% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

43 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
37
Low End
43
Score
45
High End
Earnings $22,654/yr (-14% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$398K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
46.0x
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)
$8,640
Out-of-state: $25,020
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,664
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,303
69% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Biological & 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

Biological & Physical Sciences Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Biological & Physical Sciences careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

Read the full Biological & Physical Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Biological & Physical Sciences Overview

View all 43 schools offering Biological & Physical Sciences →

Biological & 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 College of DuPage

Nursing ($69,105) Allied Health Professions ($62,471) Dental Assisting ($59,215) Fire Protection ($58,160) Allied Health Professions ($53,537) Health Administration ($52,904) Accounting ($52,724) Accounting ($47,775)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Biological & Physical Sciences degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Biological & Physical Sciences at College of DuPage?
This program scores 43/100 — on the lower end for Biological & Physical Sciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How sensitive is Biological & Physical Sciences to AI disruption?
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.
What's the job market like for Biological & Physical Sciences from College of DuPage?
At 88,200 annual openings, Biological & Physical Sciences has a large employment base. College of DuPage graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →