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Biological & Physical Sciences at William Rainey Harper College

Palatine, IL · Public · Associate Degree · Biological and Physical Sciences

enrolling 8,815 students in Palatine, IL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $27,081 track close to the $26,356 national median for Biological & Physical Sciences programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 59.3x 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.

At $6,375 in median debt against $27,081 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #21 of 43 Biological & Physical Sciences programs, William Rainey Harper College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $49,656 show a 83% jump from the $27,081 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
50
Score
52
High End
Earnings $27,081/yr (3% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (72% shielded)
Job Market Large (88,200 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$475K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
62.2x
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)
$7,644
Out-of-state: $23,604
Median Debt at Graduation
$6,375
2.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,656
83% 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

Biological & Physical Sciences opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

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 William Rainey Harper College

Nursing ($70,929) Allied Health Professions ($65,443) Allied Health Professions ($64,113) Business Administration ($59,982) Dental Assisting ($56,767) Legal Support Services ($43,980) Criminal Justice ($38,474) Practical Nursing ($36,528)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Biological & Physical Sciences degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Biological & Physical Sciences at William Rainey Harper College?
At 50/100, William Rainey Harper College's Biological & Physical Sciences program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
What's the typical debt for Biological & Physical Sciences graduates from William Rainey Harper College?
Median debt of just $6,375 against $27,081/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.
Will Biological & Physical Sciences graduates from William Rainey Harper College find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Biological & Physical Sciences have roughly 88,200 combined annual openings nationally, making this a large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →