Biology at El Paso Community College

El Paso, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Biology, General

serving a student body of 22,893 in El Paso, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $17,314/yr fall 42% below the $30,068 national median for Biology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 44.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

Career paths for Biology carry above-average AI exposure (40% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

A #17 ranking among 18 Biology programs places El Paso Community College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The $17,314-to-$36,028 earnings arc over five years reflects a 108% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

The 5 apprenticeship pathways connected to Biology reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

42 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
34
Low End
42
Score
45
High End
Earnings $17,314/yr (-42% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$304K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
46.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
10 of 10
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$6,548
Out-of-state: $10,628
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,028
108% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Biology graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Natural sciences managers $161,180 +3.7% 50%
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists $100,590 +8.7% 48%
Biological scientists, all other $93,330 +1.2% 51%
Natural sciences managers
$161,180
+3.7% growth 50% AI-proof
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
$100,590
+8.7% growth 48% AI-proof
Biological scientists, all other
$93,330
+1.2% growth 51% AI-proof

View all 10 career paths with full salary data →

Biology Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Biology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from El Paso Community College and 17 other schools.

Read the full Biology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Biology Overview

Biology at Other Schools

Other Majors at El Paso Community College

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Biology at El Paso Community College?
At 42/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?
The 40% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — El Paso Community College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Why are Biology earnings lower at El Paso Community College?
Lower starting pay at El Paso Community College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Biology graduates?
Yes — 5 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Biology career paths, including Bio-Manufacturing Technician (Downstream). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at El Paso Community College.
Is there demand for Biology workers?
Job availability for Biology is strong — 113,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For El Paso Community College graduates specifically, local market conditions in TX may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →