Analysis
College of Lake County's associate program in biological and physical sciences substantially outperforms both state and national standards. Graduates earn $37,724 in their first year—73% above the state median and 44% higher than competing programs in Illinois. Among 47 Illinois schools offering this degree, College of Lake County ranks in the 80th percentile. These earnings continue climbing to $46,105 by year four, representing 22% growth that suggests graduates are either advancing in their roles or using this degree as a stepping stone to further education.
The financial picture reinforces this program's value. With median debt under $8,000 and a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.21, graduates owe only about 10 weeks of their first year's salary. While this debt sits slightly above the national median, it's negligible compared to the earnings premium this program delivers—roughly $11,000 more annually than the typical Illinois graduate in this field.
For parents weighing community college options in northern Illinois, this program offers exceptional return on investment. The combination of minimal debt, strong starting salaries, and consistent earnings growth makes it either a smart terminal degree for entering the workforce or an affordable foundation for transferring to a four-year institution.
Where College of Lake County Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all biological and physical sciences associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How College of Lake County graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| College of Lake County | $37,724 | $46,105 | +22% |
| Waubonsee Community College | $24,939 | $46,117 | +85% |
| Morton College | $22,435 | $43,705 | +95% |
| Southwestern Illinois College | $29,678 | $42,959 | +45% |
| Rock Valley College | $21,956 | $42,658 | +94% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois
Biological and Physical Sciences associates's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (47 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 College of Lake CountyGrayslake | $4,494 | $37,724 | $46,105 | $7,833 | 0.21 |
 City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley CollegeChicago | $4,380 | $33,115 | — | $8,250 | 0.25 |
 Joliet Junior CollegeJoliet | $4,530 | $30,509 | — | $6,500 | 0.21 |
| City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X CollegeChicago | $4,380 | $30,203 | — | $8,965 | 0.30 |
 Southwestern Illinois CollegeBelleville | $3,870 | $29,678 | $42,959 | $6,196 | 0.21 |
 Triton CollegeRiver Grove | $4,920 | $29,069 | $40,313 | $10,984 | 0.38 |
| National Median | — | $26,130 | — | $8,639 | 0.33 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with biological and physical sciences graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At College of Lake County, approximately 24% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Sample Size: Based on 41 graduates with reported earnings and 59 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.