Aquatic Biology Degree in Newark, NJ — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Newark, NJ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$70K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$101K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Newark
Cost of Living
135
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Newark, NJ Overview
Newark, New Jersey (pop. 311,549) has 14 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 135 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,595/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Newark is approximately $70,200.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$16,507/yr
Private Tuition
$47,742/yr
Room & Board
$15,130/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,623/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
74%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Newark (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Newark's cost of living index of 135 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Newark adjustment factor: 1.35x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Newark
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Newark tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $16,507 | Private avg: $47,742
Newark avg aid: $8,623/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$126,548
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,950
vs HS diploma in Newark
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Newark
$143,452
Lifetime earnings premium ($270,000) minus total education cost ($126,548)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Newark
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Newark for Aquatic Biology
Rutgers University-Newark
public
$14,974/yr
$59,896 total
New Jersey Institute of Technology
public
$18,040/yr
$72,160 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Essex County College
$5,040/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Newark
Newark offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Newark Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby New Jersey Cities
Jersey City, NJ
$66K starting · COL 127
23 colleges
Paterson, NJ
$67K starting · COL 129
5 colleges
Elizabeth, NJ
$60K starting · COL 115.5
6 colleges
Edison, NJ
$61K starting · COL 118.2
5 colleges
Lakewood, NJ
$67K starting · COL 128.8
5 colleges
Woodbridge, NJ
$59K starting · COL 112.5
4 colleges
Toms River, NJ
$61K starting · COL 117.7
4 colleges
Trenton, NJ
$70K starting · COL 134
8 colleges
Other Science Majors in Newark
Aquatic Biology Degree in Newark — 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 Newark.