Biological and Physical Sciences at Shasta College

Shasta College's Biological and Physical Sciences associate program produces graduates earning $31,415 their first year—about $5,300 more than California's median for this degree and $5,300 above the national average. That's solid performance, ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally, though it places closer to the middle (60th percentile) when compared only to other California programs. With debt under $12,500, graduates face one of the most manageable debt loads in the field (5th percentile nationally), meaning they're borrowing roughly 40% of their first-year salary.

The major caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so individual circumstances can swing these numbers significantly. Still, the pattern is encouraging for a community college program serving a substantial population of Pell grant recipients (37%). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39 means a graduate could theoretically pay off their loans in under five months of gross earnings, assuming they dedicated their full salary to it—a reasonable starting point for a two-year degree that typically leads to further education or entry-level science positions.

For parents weighing this option, Shasta offers competitive earnings with minimal debt burden. Just recognize that this associate degree is often a stepping stone rather than a terminal credential, and outcomes for your specific student may vary from these small-sample averages.