Physical Sciences at Richard Bland College

Richard Bland College's Physical Sciences associate's degree graduates start at just $20,219—placing them in the 11th percentile nationally and well below the $26,948 national median. While that initial earning figure is concerning, the program deserves closer examination for two reasons: remarkably low debt ($12,000, among the lowest 5% nationally) and strong earnings growth that pushes median income to $36,197 by year four.

The state comparison is less useful here since Richard Bland appears to be the only Virginia institution reporting data for this specific associate's program. What matters more is whether this two-year degree is functioning as a transfer pathway or terminal credential. The 79% earnings jump suggests many graduates either continue their education or gain technical skills that take time to monetize—both common patterns for community college STEM programs.

For families, the calculation is straightforward: with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59, graduates owe roughly seven months of their first-year salary. If your child plans to transfer to complete a bachelor's degree, this is a cost-effective foundation. If they're entering the workforce directly after graduation, understand they'll need patience—those first-year earnings are tight, though the trajectory improves substantially. The minimal debt load at least means your student won't be crushed by payments while establishing themselves.