Biology at Houston Community College

Houston, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Biology, General

serving a student body of 37,970 in Houston, TX.

Program Analysis

Houston Community College's Biology graduates start at $24,621/yr, trailing the $30,068 national average by 18%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 63.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 40% task exposure — and the 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Biology graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $11,150 in median debt clears fast against $24,621 in annual earnings.

At #11 out of 18 programs, Houston Community College's financial outcomes for Biology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Biology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
51
Score
52
High End
Earnings $24,621/yr (-18% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$258K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
63.1x
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)
$4,080
Out-of-state: $10,920
Median Debt at Graduation
$11,150
5.4 months of Year 1 earnings

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

Biology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full Biology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Biology Overview

Biology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Houston Community College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Biology at Houston Community College?
A score of 51/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Houston Community College trails the majority of Biology programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
What's the AI risk for Biology graduates from Houston Community College?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $257,591 in decade earnings vs $257,591 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Is Houston Community College a good choice for Biology despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Houston Community College's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Biology program at Houston Community College?
If Houston Community College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 5 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Biology. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Will Biology graduates from Houston Community College find jobs?
At 113,000 annual openings, Biology has a very large employment base. Houston Community College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →