Aquatic Biology Degree in Charleston, SC — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Charleston, SC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$54K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$77K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in Charleston
Cost of Living
103
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Charleston, SC Overview
Charleston, South Carolina (pop. 150,277) has 9 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 103 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,168/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Charleston is approximately $53,560.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$13,659/yr
Private Tuition
$29,969/yr
Room & Board
$12,112/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,774/yr
Unemployment
6.2%
Graduation Rate
62%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Charleston (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Charleston's cost of living index of 103 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Charleston adjustment factor: 1.03x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Charleston
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Charleston tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,659 | Private avg: $29,969
Charleston avg aid: $7,774/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$103,084
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$17,510
vs HS diploma in Charleston
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Charleston
$102,916
Lifetime earnings premium ($206,000) minus total education cost ($103,084)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Charleston
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Charleston for Aquatic Biology
College of Charleston
public
$12,622/yr
$50,488 total
The Citadel
public
$14,696/yr
$58,784 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Trident Technical College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Charleston
Charleston offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Charleston Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby South Carolina Cities
Other Science Majors in Charleston
Aquatic Biology Degree in Charleston — 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 Charleston.