Aquatic Biology Degree in Bridgeport, CT — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Bridgeport, CT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$106K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Bridgeport
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Bridgeport, CT Overview
Bridgeport, Connecticut (pop. 148,529) has 11 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,763/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Bridgeport is approximately $73,320.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$13,201/yr
Private Tuition
$35,160/yr
Room & Board
$19,837/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,621/yr
Unemployment
4.7%
Graduation Rate
69%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Bridgeport (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Bridgeport's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Bridgeport adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Bridgeport
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Bridgeport tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,201 | Private avg: $35,160
Bridgeport avg aid: $10,621/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$132,152
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,970
vs HS diploma in Bridgeport
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Bridgeport
$149,848
Lifetime earnings premium ($282,000) minus total education cost ($132,152)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Bridgeport
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Bridgeport for Aquatic Biology
University of Bridgeport
private
$35,160/yr
$140,640 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Housatonic Community College
$4,920/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Bridgeport
Bridgeport offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Bridgeport Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Connecticut Cities
Stamford, CT
$73K starting · COL 141
7 colleges
New Haven, CT
$64K starting · COL 123
10 colleges
Hartford, CT
$60K starting · COL 116
10 colleges
Waterbury, CT
$73K starting · COL 140
8 colleges
Norwalk, CT
$67K starting · COL 128.5
4 colleges
Danbury, CT
$60K starting · COL 115.2
4 colleges
New Britain, CT
$57K starting · COL 109.7
3 colleges
West Hartford, CT
$59K starting · COL 112.5
3 colleges
Other Science Majors in Bridgeport
Aquatic Biology Degree in Bridgeport — 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 Bridgeport.