Aquatic Biology Degree in Madison, WI — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Madison, WI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$67K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6 yrs
in Madison
Cost of Living
89
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Madison, WI Overview
Madison, Wisconsin (pop. 269,840) has 11 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 89 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $902/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Madison is approximately $46,280.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$10,725/yr
Private Tuition
$33,350/yr
Room & Board
$11,942/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,815/yr
Unemployment
5.7%
Graduation Rate
73%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Madison (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Madison's cost of living index of 89 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Madison adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Madison
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Madison tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,725 | Private avg: $33,350
Madison avg aid: $15,815/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$90,668
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,130
vs HS diploma in Madison
ROI Payback Period
6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Madison
$87,332
Lifetime earnings premium ($178,000) minus total education cost ($90,668)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Madison
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Madison for Aquatic Biology
University of Wisconsin-Madison
public
$10,725/yr
$42,900 total
Edgewood College
private
$33,350/yr
$133,400 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Madison Area Technical College
$4,632/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Madison
Madison offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Madison Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Wisconsin Cities
Milwaukee, WI
$49K starting · COL 94
33 colleges
Green Bay, WI
$45K starting · COL 86
6 colleges
Kenosha, WI
$55K starting · COL 106
8 colleges
Racine, WI
$45K starting · COL 85.8
4 colleges
Appleton, WI
$41K starting · COL 79
6 colleges
Waukesha, WI
$47K starting · COL 90.5
3 colleges
Eau Claire, WI
$45K starting · COL 86
2 colleges
Oshkosh, WI
$56K starting · COL 107
3 colleges
Other Science Majors in Madison
Aquatic Biology Degree in Madison — 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 Madison.