Biological and Physical Sciences at Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College graduates with this associate's degree earn $30,509 their first year—beating 85% of similar programs nationwide and outpacing the national median by over $4,000. More importantly, they're doing it with just $6,500 in debt, which means you're looking at a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21—exceptionally manageable by any standard. While this program lands at the 60th percentile in Illinois (decent but not exceptional for the state), the low debt load makes it a smart financial foundation regardless of whether your child continues to a bachelor's degree or enters the workforce.

The catch is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing significantly year to year, so they're less reliable than data from larger programs. Still, the fundamental economics look sound. Your child could reasonably pay off this debt within months, not years, which is exactly what you want from a two-year degree—especially one that often serves as a springboard to further education in health sciences, education, or research fields.

For a community college program that keeps debt minimal while delivering above-average earning potential, this represents a low-risk pathway. Just understand you're working with limited data, and if your child plans to transfer, focus on whether credits will move smoothly to their target four-year institution.