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Biology, General at El Paso Community College

El Paso, TX · Public · Associate Degree

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, General. 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, General 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, General 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, General 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, 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) Austin Community College District ($34,560) Reedley College ($30,520) Northwest Vista College ($28,923) South Texas College ($28,791)

Other Majors at El Paso Community College

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($79,996) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($58,814) Business/Commerce, General ($25,900) Criminal Justice and Corrections ($25,846) Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities ($23,641) Health and Physical Education/Fitness ($21,750) Psychology, General ($20,644) Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods ($19,141)

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 is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Biology, General at El Paso Community College?
At 42/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biology, General programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
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.
Why are Biology, General 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.
Can I learn Biology, General through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 5 registered apprenticeships connected to Biology, General occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Biology, General graduates?
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 →