Biological and Physical Sciences at Virginia Peninsula Community College

Virginia Peninsula Community College's Biological and Physical Sciences associate degree starts slowly but shows promising momentum, though the small graduating class (under 30 students) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year. First-year earnings of $25,468 sit below both Virginia's median ($26,627) and rank in just the 40th percentile statewide, but the real story emerges by year four, when earnings jump to $35,380—a 39% increase that suggests graduates are either advancing in their current roles or using this degree as intended: a stepping stone to further education or better opportunities.

The debt picture is genuinely favorable. At $10,400, graduates carry less than the national median and pay off roughly 41% of their first-year earnings—manageable by community college standards. Compare this to Laurel Ridge's similar program, where graduates earn $37,850 but that comes at an unknown debt cost, or Northern Virginia Community College, where starting earnings actually lag behind Virginia Peninsula despite serving a larger metro area.

For families viewing this as a transfer pathway to a four-year program, the low debt load and solid trajectory make sense. For those hoping this two-year degree alone will launch a career, first-year earnings suggest patience will be required—but the growth pattern indicates that patience pays off. Just remember: with such a small sample size, your child's experience could vary considerably from these medians.