Biology, General at Houston Community College

Houston, TX · Public · Associate Degree

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

Program Analysis

Houston Community College's Biology, General 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, General 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, General trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Biology, General, 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, 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

Biology, General 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, General at Houston Community College?
A score of 51/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but Houston Community College trails the majority of Biology, General programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How vulnerable is Biology, General to AI automation?
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.
Is Houston Community College a good choice for Biology, General 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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Biology, General?
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 →