Physical Sciences at Western Nevada College

Carson City, NV · Public · Associate Degree

with a smaller student body of 1,967 in Carson City, NV.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,007 at Western Nevada College come in 10% above the national median of $24,506 for Physical Sciences programs.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 50.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Physical Sciences programs nationally.

The 32% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 42% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Physical Sciences graduates.

This program is one of 7 schools offering Physical Sciences in our dataset — a specialized trade with limited comparison points.

Earnings grow from $27,007 to $38,449 over five years — a 42% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
40
Low End
46
Score
49
High End
Earnings $27,007/yr (10% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (58% shielded)
Job Market Large (74,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$415K
9.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
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)
$7,840
Out-of-state: $24,038
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$38,449
42% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Physical Sciences graduates by median salary.

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

Physical Sciences Career Guide

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

Read the full Physical Sciences career guide →

Compare & Explore

Physical Sciences Overview

Physical Sciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at Western Nevada College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 46/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Physical Sciences at Western Nevada College?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Physical Sciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
What's the AI risk for Physical Sciences graduates from Western Nevada College?
Our scenarios model 42% of Physical Sciences tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Western Nevada College's 46/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Is Western Nevada College one of the best schools for Physical Sciences?
Among 7 Physical Sciences programs, Western Nevada College's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
How many job openings are there for Physical Sciences graduates?
Job availability for Physical Sciences is strong — 74,700 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Western Nevada College graduates specifically, local market conditions in NV may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →