Biological and Physical Sciences at City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright College

Wilbur Wright College's biological and physical sciences associate's program sits squarely in the middle nationally but lags behind most Illinois competitors. At $26,130, first-year earnings fall slightly below the state median of $26,547 and rank in just the 40th percentile among Illinois schools—meaning 60% of similar programs in the state produce better outcomes. Several community colleges in the Chicago area report considerably stronger earnings, with College of Lake County graduates earning over $11,000 more annually.

The debt picture, however, is genuinely impressive. At $5,583, graduates owe roughly a third less than both the state and national medians, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.21—one of the lowest you'll find for this credential. This low debt load means graduates can manage payments even with modest starting salaries, a significant advantage when many associate's holders face burdensome repayment.

The key tension here is whether the debt savings justify the earnings gap. For a student planning to transfer to a four-year institution immediately, Wilbur Wright's low cost makes it a sensible stepping stone. But for those entering the workforce directly with this associate's, stronger-performing Illinois programs like College of Lake County or Richard J. Daley College would likely deliver faster returns despite potentially higher borrowing. The low debt is real security, but the earnings underperformance relative to nearby alternatives is worth understanding clearly.