Biological & Physical Sciences at Laurel Ridge Community College

Middletown, VA · Public · Associate Degree · Biological and Physical Sciences

with a smaller student body of 3,167 in Middletown, VA.

Program Analysis

Laurel Ridge Community College Biological & Physical Sciences graduates command $37,850/yr out of the gate, well above the $26,356 national median. That 44% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 52.8x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 26% 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $7,101 in median debt clears fast against $37,850 in annual earnings.

Laurel Ridge Community College ranks #10 among 43 Biological & Physical Sciences programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

A 34% earnings increase from $37,850 to $50,568 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

56 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
52
Low End
56
Score
58
High End
Earnings $37,850/yr (44% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$536K
7.5% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
54.4x
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)
$9,856
Out-of-state: $21,862
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,101
2.3 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,568
34% 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

What can you do with a Biological & Physical Sciences credential from Laurel Ridge Community College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Biological & Physical Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Biological & Physical Sciences Overview

Biological & Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Laurel Ridge Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Laurel Ridge Community College's Biological & Physical Sciences program score?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biological & Physical Sciences field.
How affordable is Biological & Physical Sciences at Laurel Ridge Community College?
At $7,101 in median debt, Biological & Physical Sciences graduates from Laurel Ridge Community College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Is Laurel Ridge Community College one of the best schools for Biological & Physical Sciences?
Among 43 Biological & Physical Sciences programs, Laurel Ridge Community College's #10 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Is there demand for Biological & Physical Sciences workers?
At 88,200 annual openings, Biological & Physical Sciences has a large employment base. Laurel Ridge Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →