Analysis
Lee College's Physical Science Technologies program stands out dramatically in Texas: graduates earn nearly double the state median, placing this program in the 95th percentile statewide. First-year earnings of $95,000 tower over the typical $54,000 for this degree, and they climb to $105,000 by year four. This edge likely reflects Lee College's location in Baytown—part of the Houston petrochemical corridor—where technical roles in refineries and chemical plants command premium wages. Even compared to the next-best program at Kilgore College, Lee graduates earn $26,000 more annually.
The debt picture makes this exceptional value even clearer. At under $10,000, graduates borrow slightly less than the state median and owe just 10% of their first-year salary—paid off in roughly a year of earnings. For a community college serving a substantial population of Pell-eligible students (32%), this combination of low cost and high earnings creates genuine economic mobility.
The moderate sample size means individual cohort variations could shift these numbers somewhat, but the earnings advantage is too large to dismiss. For students willing to work in industrial technical roles—particularly those already in the Houston area—this program delivers associate's degree outcomes that rival many bachelor's programs at a fraction of the cost and time.
Where Lee College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all physical science technologies/technicians associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Lee College 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lee College | $94,986 | $105,103 | +11% |
| College of the Mainland | $49,694 | $124,952 | +151% |
| Wharton County Junior College | $45,277 | $123,220 | +172% |
| Lamar Institute of Technology | $42,539 | $103,161 | +143% |
| Lamar State College-Orange | $49,932 | $100,636 | +102% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians associates's programs at peer institutions in Texas (15 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Lee CollegeBaytown | $2,166 | $94,986 | $105,103 | $9,598 | 0.10 |
 Kilgore CollegeKilgore | $2,160 | $68,335 | $46,153 | $17,208 | 0.25 |
 Houston Community CollegeHouston | $2,040 | $60,612 | $50,432 | $21,740 | 0.36 |
 San Jacinto Community CollegePasadena | $1,992 | $59,496 | $79,742 | $10,000 | 0.17 |
 Del Mar CollegeCorpus Christi | $3,440 | $56,948 | — | $7,000 | 0.12 |
 Alvin Community CollegeAlvin | $1,834 | $54,543 | — | $7,839 | 0.14 |
| National Median | — | $54,260 | — | $11,417 | 0.21 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with physical science technologies/technicians graduates
Chemical Technicians
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
Hydrologic Technicians
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other
Quality Control Analysts
Remote Sensing Technicians
Chemical Plant and System Operators
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
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 Lee College, approximately 32% 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 45 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.