Program Analysis
Graduates earn $36,709/yr, roughly in line with the $36,628 national median for Biological and Physical Sciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The earnings-to-cost ratio of 8.6x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.
Some AI exposure exists in Biological and Physical Sciences's typical career paths, with 28% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $24,000 represents roughly 8 months of the $36,709 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
Ranked #15 of 26 Biological and Physical Sciences programs, Virginia Commonwealth University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.
Five-year earnings of $57,252 show a 56% jump from the $36,709 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.