Aquatic Biology Degree in Berkeley, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Berkeley, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$77K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.2 yrs
in Berkeley
Cost of Living
102
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Berkeley, CA Overview
Berkeley, California (pop. 124,321) has 7 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 102 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $961/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Berkeley is approximately $53,040.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$14,312/yr
Private Tuition
$41,049/yr
Room & Board
$17,106/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,462/yr
Unemployment
3.9%
Graduation Rate
66%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Berkeley (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Berkeley's cost of living index of 102 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Berkeley adjustment factor: 1.02x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Berkeley
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Berkeley tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,312 | Private avg: $41,049
Berkeley avg aid: $11,462/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$125,672
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,340
vs HS diploma in Berkeley
ROI Payback Period
7.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Berkeley
$78,328
Lifetime earnings premium ($204,000) minus total education cost ($125,672)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Berkeley
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Berkeley for Aquatic Biology
UC Berkeley
public
$14,312/yr
$57,248 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Berkeley City College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Berkeley
Berkeley offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Berkeley Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$73K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$73K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$67K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$59K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$61K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$58K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$60K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$69K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Science Majors in Berkeley
Aquatic Biology Degree in Berkeley — 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 Berkeley.