Biological and Physical Sciences at College of Lake County

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.