Aquatic Biology Degree in Amarillo, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Amarillo, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$81K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4 yrs
in Amarillo
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Amarillo, TX Overview
Amarillo, Texas (pop. 200,393) has 14 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,096/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Amarillo is approximately $56,160.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$9,030/yr
Private Tuition
$43,100/yr
Room & Board
$9,166/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,360/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
66%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Amarillo (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Amarillo's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Amarillo adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Amarillo
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Amarillo tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,030 | Private avg: $43,100
Amarillo avg aid: $15,360/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$72,784
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,360
vs HS diploma in Amarillo
ROI Payback Period
4 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Amarillo
$143,216
Lifetime earnings premium ($216,000) minus total education cost ($72,784)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Amarillo
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Amarillo for Aquatic Biology
West Texas A&M University
public
$9,030/yr
$36,120 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Amarillo College
$2,604/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Amarillo
Amarillo offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Amarillo Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$60K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$62K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$54K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$56K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$53K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$48K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$49K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$43K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Science Majors in Amarillo
Aquatic Biology Degree in Amarillo — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Aquatic Biology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Amarillo.