Aquatic Biology Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of organisms living in freshwater and marine environments and their ecosystems.
Starting Salary
$52K
median
Mid-Career
$75K
salary
ROI Payback
4 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4%
rate
Aquatic Biology Overview
Study of organisms living in freshwater and marine environments and their ecosystems.
Category
Science
Degree Level
Bachelor's/Master's
Graduation Rate
78%
Enrollment Trend
growing
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
5%
Lifetime Premium
$200K
Female Graduates
55%
Aquatic Biology Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$182,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($200,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Aquatic Biology Salary Progression
Common Aquatic Biology Careers
Aquatic Biologist
Fisheries Scientist
Environmental Consultant
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Aquatic Biology
#1
University of Florida
#2
Oregon State
#3
University of Washington
#4
UCSB
#5
LSU
Related Majors
Aquatic Biology Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
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