Aquatic Biology Degree in Orlando, FL — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Orlando, FL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$50K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$72K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.9 yrs
in Orlando
Cost of Living
96
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Orlando, FL Overview
Orlando, Florida (pop. 307,573) has 16 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 96 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $804/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Orlando is approximately $49,920.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$6,368/yr
Private Tuition
$44,990/yr
Room & Board
$9,733/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,728/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
75%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Orlando (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Orlando's cost of living index of 96 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Orlando adjustment factor: 0.96x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Orlando
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Orlando tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $6,368 | Private avg: $44,990
Orlando avg aid: $11,728/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$64,404
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,320
vs HS diploma in Orlando
ROI Payback Period
3.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Orlando
$127,596
Lifetime earnings premium ($192,000) minus total education cost ($64,404)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Orlando
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Orlando for Aquatic Biology
University of Central Florida
public
$6,368/yr
$25,472 total
Rollins College
private
$44,990/yr
$179,960 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Valencia College
$3,110/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Orlando
Orlando offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Orlando Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Florida Cities
Jacksonville, FL
$61K starting · COL 117
35 colleges
Miami, FL
$51K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tampa, FL
$53K starting · COL 101
26 colleges
St. Petersburg, FL
$50K starting · COL 97
22 colleges
Hialeah, FL
$41K starting · COL 78
22 colleges
Port St. Lucie, FL
$51K starting · COL 98.5
8 colleges
Tallahassee, FL
$46K starting · COL 89
11 colleges
Cape Coral, FL
$51K starting · COL 97.8
7 colleges
Other Science Majors in Orlando
Aquatic Biology Degree in Orlando — 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 Orlando.