Biology at CUNY Kingsborough Community College

With a small sample size limiting certainty, Kingsborough's Biology Associate program shows earnings that place it squarely at the state median—$26,171 after one year—but in the 60th percentile among New York's biology programs. That's a meaningful distinction: half of NY schools produce identical median outcomes, yet this program ranks above average, likely reflecting Brooklyn's proximity to healthcare and research employment. The modest $9,241 debt load (matching the state median exactly) creates a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio, and graduates see 14% earnings growth by year four, reaching nearly $30,000.

The real question is whether an associate's in biology serves as a stepping stone or an endpoint. Most biology careers requiring just a two-year degree cluster in lab technician and healthcare support roles, where these earnings align with entry-level expectations. For students planning to transfer to a four-year program, this represents an affordable foundation. For those entering the workforce immediately, the earnings trajectory suggests limited upward mobility without additional credentials.

The bottom line: This works as a low-cost entry point into STEM fields, particularly for students testing their interest in biology before committing to a bachelor's degree. The debt won't hamstring future education choices, and the New York location provides decent employment access. Just recognize that the career ceiling is real without further education.