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Biology, General at Austin Community College District

Austin, TX · Public · Associate Degree

with 25,969 students enrolled in Austin, TX.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $34,560/yr, edging above the $30,068 national average for Biology, General — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 113.6x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology, General programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 40% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Biology, General graduates.

At $7,875 in median debt against $34,560 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #2 of 18 nationally, this is a top-5% Biology, General program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $56,234 show a 63% jump from the $34,560 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Biology, General offers 5 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
64
Score
66
High End
Earnings $34,560/yr (15% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$606K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
118.9x
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)
$5,100
Out-of-state: $21,180
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,875
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,234
63% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Biology, General 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 →

About Biology, General Careers

Your career could begin in a lab as a biological technician, where your days involve preparing cell cultures, operating equipment like centrifuges and microscopes, and meticulously logging experimental data. Alternatively, you might start as a secondary school teacher, crafting lesson plans, managing a classroom, and guiding students through dissections and experiments.

Read the full Biology, General career guide →

Compare & Explore

Biology, General Overview

View all 18 schools offering Biology, General →

Biology, General at Other Schools

Union Adventist University ($74,593) Davidson College ($39,602) St Philip's College ($35,699) University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point ($35,304) Reedley College ($30,520) Northwest Vista College ($28,923) South Texas College ($28,791) Mott Community College ($28,480)

Other Majors at Austin Community College District

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($68,125) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($66,380) Accounting and Related Services ($62,261) Dental Support Services and Allied Professions ($60,475) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($59,770) Accounting and Related Services ($58,469) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($55,230) Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians ($51,640)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Biology, General degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 64/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Biology, General at Austin Community College District?
A score of 64/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biology, General field.
Will AI affect Biology, General careers?
The 40% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What's the typical debt for Biology, General graduates from Austin Community College District?
At $7,875 in median debt, Biology, General graduates from Austin Community College District carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What makes Austin Community College District's Biology, General program stand out?
Ranked #2 of 18 programs nationally, Austin Community College District lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Biology, General graduates?
Yes — 5 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Biology, General career paths, including Bio-Manufacturing Technician (Downstream). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Biology, General workers?
With approximately 113,000 annual openings across mapped careers, Biology, General offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →