Biological and Physical Sciences at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College
VA · Associate's Degree · CIP 30.01
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Biological and Physical Sciences degree from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College earn a median salary of $47,574 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in VA, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $46,414. The degree typically pays for itself in 12.5 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$34,065
Typical Career
$47,574
Top Performers
$66,905
Estimated break-even: 12.5 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$317
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $3,965. Most students can comfortably afford about a $317 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.2x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.6x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Virginia buys what costs $1.03 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Health Care & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services, Retail Trade.
Where Associate's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$46,414
Nominal: $47,574 in Virginia (COL 102.5% of national avg) · 2.4% lower purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $21,000 | $29,787 | $42,230 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $34,065 | $47,574 | $66,905 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $44,849 | $63,793 | $88,138 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $47,574 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in VA, which has a cost-of-living index of 102.5% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $47,574 × (1.0 ÷ 1.0250)
= $46,414 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The majority of graduates find employment in the Health Care & Social Assistance sector, with 42.9% entering this field immediately after graduation. This trend continues with 36.5% and 33.2% of graduates remaining in the same industry over the following years. Considering the estimated break-even point of approximately 12.5 years compared to a high-school-only path, the return on investment for pursuing a degree in Biological and Physical Sciences appears favorable, particularly given the strong demand in health-related fields.
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Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.