Biology at Austin Community College District

Austin Community College's biology associate's program delivers something rare: top-tier national earnings (93rd percentile) while keeping debt reasonable at $13,375—about $2,500 above the national median but still manageable at just 0.39 times first-year earnings. A graduate earning $34,560 after one year can realistically handle monthly payments of around $150, and earnings climb to $41,217 by year four, showing solid 19% growth. This program punches above its weight nationally, though within Texas it sits at a more typical 60th percentile, trailing St. Philip's College by about $1,100 in first-year earnings.

The value becomes clearer when you consider alternatives: most community college biology programs prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions, making near-term earnings less critical than debt load. At roughly $3,400 more in debt than the Texas median, this isn't the cheapest path, but you're getting substantially better immediate earnings than 93% of similar programs nationwide. That matters if your child needs to work while finishing their bachelor's degree or decides to pause education temporarily.

For families planning a straightforward transfer to UT Austin or Texas State, a lower-debt option might make sense. But if immediate earning potential matters—whether for financial independence or work-study balance—Austin CC delivers results that justify the modest premium. The 19% earnings growth suggests graduates are moving into better positions quickly, not staying stuck in entry-level lab tech roles.