Biology at Houston Community College

Houston Community College's biology associate's graduates earn $24,621 in their first year—roughly $3,200 below the Texas median and about $1,900 under the national average. Among Texas community colleges offering this degree, this program ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning three-fifths of comparable state programs deliver stronger earnings outcomes. The gap is even starker when you look at top performers: St. Philip's College graduates earn nearly 45% more at $35,699, while Austin Community College grads make $34,560.

The debt load of $11,005 is manageable and roughly average for this type of program, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45. That's reasonable—you're borrowing less than half of first-year income—though it matters less when those earnings start relatively low. For context, 37% of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting many come from families where every dollar of post-graduation income counts.

If your child is set on biology, this associate's degree could serve as an affordable stepping stone to a bachelor's program. But if they're hoping to enter the workforce immediately after two years, other Texas community colleges demonstrate you can do better without necessarily spending more. Consider whether transferring to a four-year program is part of the plan, because that changes the calculation considerably.