Biology, General at South Texas College

McAllen, TX · Public · Associate Degree

with a mid-sized student body of 16,131 in McAllen, TX.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $28,791/yr, roughly in line with the $30,068 national median for Biology, General. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

With a 35.7x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Biology, General career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

A #12 ranking among 18 Biology, General programs places South Texas College in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

A 20% earnings increase from $28,791 to $34,637 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.

The 5 apprenticeship pathways connected to Biology, General reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

47 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
43
Low End
47
Score
49
High End
Earnings $28,791/yr (-4% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$358K
4.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
36.3x
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)
$9,840
Out-of-state: $15,000
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$34,637
20% 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

Biology, General at Other Schools

Other Majors at South Texas College

Explore the Degree Alternative

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does South Texas College's Biology, General program score?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biology, General programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How vulnerable is Biology, General to AI automation?
With 40% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $301,218 in decade earnings vs $357,598 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Are there apprenticeship options for Biology, General?
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.
How many job openings are there for Biology, General graduates?
The career paths mapped to Biology, General have roughly 113,000 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Trade careers in this field benefit from consistent replacement demand as workers retire.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →