Aquatic Biology Degree in Lexington, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Lexington, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$80K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Lexington
Cost of Living
107
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Lexington, KY Overview
Lexington, Kentucky (pop. 322,570) has 14 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 107 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,265/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Lexington is approximately $55,640.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,360/yr
Private Tuition
$42,200/yr
Room & Board
$10,700/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,397/yr
Unemployment
6.4%
Graduation Rate
65%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Lexington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lexington's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Lexington adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Lexington
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Lexington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,360 | Private avg: $42,200
Lexington avg aid: $8,397/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,240
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,190
vs HS diploma in Lexington
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lexington
$121,760
Lifetime earnings premium ($214,000) minus total education cost ($92,240)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Lexington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lexington for Aquatic Biology
University of Kentucky
public
$12,360/yr
$49,440 total
Transylvania University
private
$42,200/yr
$168,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Lexington
Lexington offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lexington Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Kentucky Cities
Other Science Majors in Lexington
Aquatic Biology Degree in Lexington — 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 Lexington.