Biological and Physical Sciences at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Richmond, VA · Public · Associate Degree

enrolling 5,284 students in Richmond, VA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,059 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.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 37.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biological and Physical Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Biological and Physical Sciences's career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 40% gap from the optimistic case.

At $10,225 in median debt against $23,059 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #38 of 43 Biological and Physical Sciences programs, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $42,732 show a 85% jump from the $23,059 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
36
Low End
42
Score
44
High End
Earnings $23,059/yr (-13% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$405K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
39.4x
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)
$10,272
Out-of-state: $22,278
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,225
5.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$42,732
85% 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

Biological and Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 42/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Biological and Physical Sciences at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College?
At 42/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biological and Physical Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
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?
With approximately 88,200 annual openings across mapped careers, Biological and Physical Sciences offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →