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Biology at Texas State Technical College

Waco, TX · Public · Associate Degree · Biology, General

with a mid-sized student body of 9,153 in Waco, TX.

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $21,288/yr fall 29% below the $30,068 national median for Biology. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 24.8x 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 $10,417 in median debt against $21,288 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

Ranked #18 of 18 Biology programs, Texas State Technical College falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $37,230 show a 75% jump from the $21,288 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.

39 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
32
Low End
39
Score
41
High End
Earnings $21,288/yr (-29% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (60% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (113,000 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$374K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
26.0x
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)
$14,384
Out-of-state: $23,684
Median Debt at Graduation
$10,417
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$37,230
75% 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

What can you do with a Biology credential from Texas State Technical College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Biology career guide →

Compare & Explore

Biology Overview

View all 18 schools offering Biology →

Biology 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 Texas State Technical College

Nursing ($79,324) Electrical Installation ($76,445) Electromechanical Technology ($68,052) Industrial Production Technology ($64,485) Allied Health Professions ($62,718) Electromechanical Technology ($59,719) Dental Assisting ($56,609) Electrical Installation ($56,597)

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare Biology degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Texas State Technical College's Biology program score?
At 39/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Biology programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How vulnerable is Biology to AI automation?
AI won't eliminate Biology careers, but it may reshape them. At Texas State Technical College, a score of 39/100 already accounts for the 40% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Can you still earn well with Biology from Texas State Technical 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.
Are there apprenticeship options for Biology?
Yes — 5 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Biology career paths, including Bio-Manufacturing Technician (Downstream). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Texas State Technical College.
How many job openings are there for Biology graduates?
At 113,000 annual openings, Biology has a very large employment base. Texas State Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →