Aquatic Biology Degree in Lincoln, NE — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Lincoln, NE. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$64K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Lincoln
Cost of Living
85
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Lincoln, NE Overview
Lincoln, Nebraska (pop. 291,082) has 9 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 85 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $867/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Lincoln is approximately $44,200.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
9
Public Tuition
$9,242/yr
Private Tuition
$36,730/yr
Room & Board
$10,611/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,317/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
57%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Lincoln (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lincoln's cost of living index of 85 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Lincoln adjustment factor: 0.85x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Lincoln
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Lincoln tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,242 | Private avg: $36,730
Lincoln avg aid: $13,317/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$79,412
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,450
vs HS diploma in Lincoln
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lincoln
$90,588
Lifetime earnings premium ($170,000) minus total education cost ($79,412)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Lincoln
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lincoln for Aquatic Biology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
public
$9,242/yr
$36,968 total
Nebraska Wesleyan University
private
$36,730/yr
$146,920 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Southeast Community College
$3,540/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Lincoln
Lincoln offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lincoln Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Nebraska Cities
Other Science Majors in Lincoln
Aquatic Biology Degree in Lincoln — 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 Lincoln.