Biology at El Paso Community College

El Paso Community College's associate's in biology starts with a jarring first-year salary of just $17,314—placing this program in the bottom 10% both nationally and statewide. Even nearby San Antonio College, with a similar student profile, sees graduates earning $26,835 in year one. That initial number matters because it determines how quickly graduates can begin managing their $9,000 in debt during those critical early months.

The positive story emerges by year four, when earnings jump to $30,319—a 75% increase that suggests graduates are either advancing within healthcare support roles or completing bachelor's degrees that unlock better opportunities. However, this still leaves them below the Texas median of $27,813 for biology associate degrees. Other Texas community colleges like St. Philip's ($35,699) and Austin Community College ($34,560) demonstrate that much stronger early outcomes are achievable in this field.

For families considering this path, the question is whether your student can weather that difficult first year on what amounts to minimum wage earnings while carrying debt payments. If they're planning to transfer to a four-year institution anyway, the modest $9,000 debt load is manageable. But if this associate's degree is the endpoint, the program's weak placement compared to peer institutions in Texas suggests exploring alternatives, particularly if your student can access other community colleges in the state with proven track records of launching biology graduates into better-paying positions immediately.