Aquatic Biology Degree in Montgomery, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Montgomery, AL. 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
5.7 yrs
in Montgomery
Cost of Living
92
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Montgomery, AL Overview
Montgomery is one of Alabama's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 17,419. Public tuition averages $10,814/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Montgomery is approximately $47,840.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
21
Public Tuition
$10,814/yr
Private Tuition
$29,622/yr
Room & Board
$11,372/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$7,044/yr
Unemployment
4.5%
Graduation Rate
46%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Montgomery (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Montgomery'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.Montgomery adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Montgomery
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Montgomery tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,814 | Private avg: $29,622
Montgomery avg aid: $7,044/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$88,744
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,640
vs HS diploma in Montgomery
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Montgomery
$95,256
Lifetime earnings premium ($184,000) minus total education cost ($88,744)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Montgomery
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Montgomery for Aquatic Biology
Alabama State University
public
$11,068/yr
$44,272 total
Auburn University at Montgomery
public
$10,560/yr
$42,240 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Trenholm State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Montgomery
Montgomery offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Montgomery Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$51K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Birmingham, AL
$46K starting · COL 88
10 colleges
Mobile, AL
$51K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$41K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$50K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$54K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$43K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$43K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Science Majors in Montgomery
Aquatic Biology Degree in Montgomery — 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 Montgomery.