Aquatic Biology Degree in Boston, MA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Boston, MA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$103K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.9 yrs
in Boston
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Boston, MA Overview
Boston is one of Massachusetts's top college towns, with 24 institutions and a student population of 40,388. Public tuition averages $14,167/year here — near the national average for public universities. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Boston is approximately $71,240.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
24
Public Tuition
$14,167/yr
Private Tuition
$60,730/yr
Room & Board
$14,423/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,458/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
56%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Boston (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Boston's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Boston adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Boston
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Boston tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,167 | Private avg: $60,730
Boston avg aid: $10,458/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,360
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,290
vs HS diploma in Boston
ROI Payback Period
4.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Boston
$159,640
Lifetime earnings premium ($274,000) minus total education cost ($114,360)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Boston
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Boston for Aquatic Biology
Boston University
private
$62,360/yr
$249,440 total
Northeastern University
private
$59,100/yr
$236,400 total
University of Massachusetts Boston
public
$14,167/yr
$56,668 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bunker Hill Community College
$5,760/yr
Roxbury Community College
$5,280/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Boston
Boston offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Boston Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Massachusetts Cities
Worcester, MA
$61K starting · COL 117
11 colleges
Springfield, MA
$69K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Cambridge, MA
$69K starting · COL 133
6 colleges
Lowell, MA
$59K starting · COL 112.5
5 colleges
Brockton, MA
$56K starting · COL 108.5
5 colleges
Quincy, MA
$67K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
New Bedford, MA
$53K starting · COL 102.5
4 colleges
Lynn, MA
$62K starting · COL 118.5
4 colleges
Other Science Majors in Boston
Aquatic Biology Degree in Boston — 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 Boston.