Median Earnings (1yr)
$28,480
68th percentile
60th percentile in Michigan
Median Debt
$13,250
28% above national median

Analysis

Mott Community College's Biology associate degree shows solid performance at a reasonable price, particularly for students planning to continue their education. With debt of $13,250—well below the national median—graduates enter the workforce earning $28,480, positioning this program at the 60th percentile among Michigan's biology programs. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 means graduates owe less than half their first-year salary, manageable by most standards.

The 26% earnings jump from year one to year four is the real story here. Starting at $28,480, graduates reach $35,730 within four years—substantial growth that suggests either career advancement or completion of a bachelor's degree. Since most biology careers require additional education, this trajectory makes sense for students using Mott as a stepping stone to a four-year program while keeping debt manageable.

For families in Flint considering this path, the numbers work: modest debt, earnings that exceed most biology associate programs nationally, and clear evidence of upward mobility. This is exactly what a community college program should deliver—affordable preparation for the next step without anchoring students with debt that would make continued education financially risky. The moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary, but the overall pattern shows Mott graduates competing effectively in Michigan's job market while maintaining financial flexibility.

Where Mott Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all biology associates's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Mott Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Mott Community College$28,480$35,730+25%
San Diego Miramar College$15,731$52,214+232%
San Antonio College$26,835$45,818+71%
Rowan College of South Jersey-Cumberland Campus$25,026$41,493+66%
Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester Campus$25,026$41,493+66%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Biology associates's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Mott Community CollegeFlint$4,426$28,480$35,730$13,2500.47
Union Adventist UniversityLincoln$27,990$74,593—$30,8750.41
St Philip's CollegeSan Antonio$3,412$35,699—$12,7180.36
Austin Community College DistrictAustin$2,550$34,560$41,217$13,3750.39
Reedley CollegeReedley$1,334$30,520$39,274$6,5000.21
Northwest Vista CollegeSan Antonio$3,412$28,923$33,961$10,7080.37
National Median—$26,503—$10,3840.39

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with biology graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists

Conduct research dealing with the understanding of human diseases and the improvement of human health. Engage in clinical investigation, research and development, or other related activities.

$100,590/yrJobs growth:Doctoral or professional degree

Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in biological sciences. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Forensic Science Technicians

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

$67,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.

$64,580/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biological Technicians

Assist biological and medical scientists. Set up, operate, and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment, monitor experiments, collect data and samples, make observations, and calculate and record results. May analyze organic substances, such as blood, food, and drugs.

$52,000/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Agricultural Technicians

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Precision Agriculture Technicians

Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Food Science Technicians

Work with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.

$48,480/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Biological Scientists, All Other

All biological scientists not listed separately.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Mott Community College, approximately 35% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 32 graduates with reported earnings and 51 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.