Best colleges for Biological and Physical Sciences in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Laurel Ridge Community College, Virginia Commonwealth University and Tidewater Community College are the top Biological and Physical Sciences programs in Virginia by graduate earnings. Laurel Ridge Community College leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,850, College Scorecard. Northern Virginia Community College, Tidewater Community College and Laurel Ridge Community College award the most Biological and Physical Sciences degrees and certificates in Virginia: 169, 152 and 144 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 24 Virginia colleges offer Biological and Physical Sciences and award 1,082 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Biological and Physical Sciences program offers a comprehensive exploration of the natural sciences, focusing on both life sciences and physical sciences. This interdisciplinary program is designed for students interested in…
Top 7 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laurel Ridge Community College Middletown Public · Associate degree | $37,850 | 144 | 45% | — | $8,400 |
| 2 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,709 | 59 | 63% | — | $26,975 |
| 3 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk Public · Associate degree | $30,605 | 152 | 32% | — | $9,787 |
| 4 | Virginia Western Community College Roanoke Public · Associate degree | $27,786 | 70 | 40% | — | $7,334 |
| 5 | Virginia Peninsula Community College Hampton Public · Associate degree | $25,468 | 84 | 34% | — | $10,400 |
| 6 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond Public · Associate degree | $23,059 | 118 | 32% | — | $10,948 |
| 7 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Public · Associate degree | $21,923 | 169 | 33% | — | $10,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Biological and Physical Sciences degrees in Virginia
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Virginia Community College Annandale Public | 169 | $21,923 |
| 2 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk Public | 152 | $30,605 |
| 3 | Laurel Ridge Community College Middletown Public | 144 | $37,850 |
| 4 | J Sargeant Reynolds Community College Richmond Public | 118 | $23,059 |
| 5 | Virginia Peninsula Community College Hampton Public | 84 | $25,468 |
| 6 | Virginia Western Community College Roanoke Public | 70 | $27,786 |
| 7 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond Public | 59 | $36,709 |
| 8 | University of Virginia Charlottesville Public | 58 | Not reported |
| 9 | Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave Public | 52 | Not reported |
| 10 | Brightpoint Community College Chester Public | 45 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 14 Virginia colleges offering Biological and Physical Sciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | Charlottesville | Public | 19 |
| New River Community College | Dublin | Public | 17 |
| Wytheville Community College | Wytheville | Public | 13 |
| George Mason University | Fairfax | Public | 12 |
| William & Mary | Williamsburg | Public | 11 |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | Cedar Bluff | Public | 11 |
| Virginia Wesleyan University | Virginia Beach | Private not-for-profit | 11 |
| University of Virginia's College at Wise | Wise | Public | 10 |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | Clifton Forge | Public | 8 |
| Regent University | Virginia Beach | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Eastern Shore Community College | Melfa | Public | 5 |
| Patrick & Henry Community College | Martinsville | Public | 4 |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | Abingdon | Public | 4 |
| Mountain Empire Community College | Big Stone Gap | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Natural Sciences Managers (SOC 11-9121).
Top skills
What Natural Sciences Managers earn in Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Biological and Physical Sciences programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Biological and Physical Sciences degrees?+
Northern Virginia Community College (169 graduates a year), Tidewater Community College (152 graduates a year) and Laurel Ridge Community College (144 graduates a year) award the most Biological and Physical Sciences degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 24 Virginia colleges offer Biological and Physical Sciences.
What is the best college for Biological and Physical Sciences in Virginia?+
By graduate earnings, Laurel Ridge Community College leads among Biological and Physical Sciences programs in Virginia, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,850, College Scorecard. Virginia Commonwealth University and Tidewater Community College follow. By degrees awarded, Northern Virginia Community College is the largest, with 169 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Biological and Physical Sciences program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Laurel Ridge Community College tops the list at $37,850. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Natural Sciences Managers earn in Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Natural Sciences Managers in Virginia is $150,440 (median $150,570), across about 1,470 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Biological and Physical Sciences program?+
The Biological and Physical Sciences program offers a comprehensive exploration of the natural sciences, focusing on both life sciences and physical sciences. This interdisciplinary program is designed for students interested in…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop science, active listening, monitoring, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Natural Sciences Managers?+
The national job outlook is about +3.7% growth with around 8,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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