Aquatic Biology Degree in Des Moines, IA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Des Moines, IA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.5 yrs
in Des Moines
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Des Moines, IA Overview
Des Moines, Iowa (pop. 214,133) has 10 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 92 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Des Moines is approximately $47,840.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$8,977/yr
Private Tuition
$38,388/yr
Room & Board
$8,658/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$9,739/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
56%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Des Moines (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Des Moines's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Des Moines adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Des Moines
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Des Moines tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,977 | Private avg: $38,388
Des Moines avg aid: $9,739/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$70,540
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,640
vs HS diploma in Des Moines
ROI Payback Period
4.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Des Moines
$113,460
Lifetime earnings premium ($184,000) minus total education cost ($70,540)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Des Moines
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Des Moines for Aquatic Biology
Drake University
private
$45,520/yr
$182,080 total
Grand View University
private
$31,256/yr
$125,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Des Moines Area Community College
$5,064/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Des Moines
Des Moines offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Des Moines Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Iowa Cities
Cedar Rapids, IA
$52K starting · COL 100
4 colleges
Davenport, IA
$41K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Sioux City, IA
$44K starting · COL 84
2 colleges
Iowa City, IA
$50K starting · COL 95.2
3 colleges
West Des Moines, IA
$51K starting · COL 97.5
3 colleges
Ankeny, IA
$50K starting · COL 95.8
3 colleges
Waterloo, IA
$43K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Ames, IA
$45K starting · COL 87
8 colleges
Other Science Majors in Des Moines
Aquatic Biology Degree in Des Moines — 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 Des Moines.