Aquatic Biology Degree in Fort Lauderdale, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Fort Lauderdale, FL. 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
5.8 yrs
in Fort Lauderdale
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Fort Lauderdale, FL Overview
While Fort Lauderdale has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Aquatic Biology students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $11,777/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Fort Lauderdale is approximately $47,840.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$10,805/yr
Private Tuition
$33,650/yr
Room & Board
$11,777/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,111/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
47%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Fort Lauderdale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fort Lauderdale'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.Fort Lauderdale adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Fort Lauderdale
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Fort Lauderdale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,805 | Private avg: $33,650
Fort Lauderdale avg aid: $7,111/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,328
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,640
vs HS diploma in Fort Lauderdale
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fort Lauderdale
$93,672
Lifetime earnings premium ($184,000) minus total education cost ($90,328)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Fort Lauderdale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fort Lauderdale for Aquatic Biology
Nova Southeastern University
private
$33,650/yr
$134,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Broward College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fort Lauderdale Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$61K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$51K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$53K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
Orlando, FL
$50K starting · COL 96
16 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$50K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$41K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$51K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$46K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Other Science Majors in Fort Lauderdale
Aquatic Biology Degree in Fort Lauderdale — 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 Fort Lauderdale.