Biology at San Diego Miramar College

San Diego, CA · Public · Associate Degree · Biology, General

with a mid-sized student body of 10,740 in San Diego, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $15,731 place San Diego Miramar College below the $30,068 national median for Biology — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 114.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Biology 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 graduates.

At #9 of 18 Biology programs, San Diego Miramar College scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $53,218 show a 238% jump from the $15,731 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

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

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
44
Low End
52
Score
54
High End
Earnings $15,731/yr (-48% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$276K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
120.0x
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)
$2,300
Out-of-state: $18,188
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$53,218
238% 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

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 San Diego Miramar College

Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 52/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Biology at San Diego Miramar College?
A score of 52/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Biology field.
What's the AI risk for Biology graduates from San Diego Miramar College?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $164,581 in decade earnings vs $276,058 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Why are Biology earnings lower at San Diego Miramar College?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Biology graduates?
Beyond San Diego Miramar College's classroom route, 5 registered apprenticeships map to Biology careers — including Bio-Manufacturing Technician (Downstream). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Will Biology graduates from San Diego Miramar College find jobs?
Job availability for Biology is strong — 113,000 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For San Diego Miramar College graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →