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Biological & Physical Sciences at McHenry County College

Crystal Lake, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Biological and Physical Sciences

a smaller institution with 4,335 students in Crystal Lake, IL.

Program Analysis

McHenry County College's Biological & Physical Sciences graduates start at $28,614/yr — above the $26,356 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 59.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biological & Physical Sciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Biological & 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.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $6,875 in median debt clears fast against $28,614 in annual earnings.

At #17 of 43 Biological & Physical Sciences programs, McHenry County College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $48,167 show a 68% jump from the $28,614 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
52
Score
54
High End
Earnings $28,614/yr (9% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$502K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
62.6x
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)
$8,024
Out-of-state: $29,770
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,875
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,167
68% 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

See the full career breakdown for Biological & Physical Sciences — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from McHenry County College and 42 other schools.

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 McHenry County College

Liberal Arts & Humanities ($19,740)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Biological & Physical Sciences degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Biological & Physical Sciences at McHenry County College?
A score of 52/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biological & Physical Sciences field.
What's the typical debt for Biological & Physical Sciences graduates from McHenry County College?
Median debt of just $6,875 against $28,614/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What's the AI uncertainty for Biological & Physical Sciences careers?
The 40% scenario spread reflects genuine uncertainty. Some career paths within Biological & Physical Sciences are more exposed than others — the aggregate score blends resistant and vulnerable roles.
What's the job market like for Biological & Physical Sciences from McHenry County College?
The large job market (88,200 annual openings) works in favor of Biological & Physical Sciences graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →