Aquatic Biology Degree in Minneapolis, MN — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Minneapolis, MN. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$73K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Minneapolis
Cost of Living
97
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Minneapolis, MN Overview
Minneapolis, Minnesota (pop. 429,954) has 15 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 97 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $805/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Minneapolis is approximately $50,440.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
15
Public Tuition
$15,142/yr
Private Tuition
$45,823/yr
Room & Board
$12,394/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,033/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
61%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Minneapolis (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Minneapolis's cost of living index of 97 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Minneapolis adjustment factor: 0.97x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Minneapolis
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Minneapolis tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,142 | Private avg: $45,823
Minneapolis avg aid: $14,033/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$110,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,490
vs HS diploma in Minneapolis
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Minneapolis
$83,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($194,000) minus total education cost ($110,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Minneapolis
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Minneapolis for Aquatic Biology
University of Minnesota
public
$15,142/yr
$60,568 total
University of St. Thomas
private
$49,716/yr
$198,864 total
Augsburg University
private
$41,930/yr
$167,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Minneapolis College
$5,772/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Minneapolis
Minneapolis offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Minneapolis Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Minnesota Cities
Saint Paul, MN
$53K starting · COL 101.5
11 colleges
St. Paul, MN
$56K starting · COL 108
20 colleges
Rochester, MN
$55K starting · COL 105
8 colleges
Duluth, MN
$52K starting · COL 100
5 colleges
Bloomington, MN
$52K starting · COL 100.2
4 colleges
Brooklyn Park, MN
$51K starting · COL 98.8
4 colleges
Plymouth, MN
$56K starting · COL 107.3
4 colleges
Maple Grove, MN
$56K starting · COL 107.4
4 colleges
Other Science Majors in Minneapolis
Aquatic Biology Degree in Minneapolis — 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 Minneapolis.