Aquatic Biology Degree in Pomona, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Pomona, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$68K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$98K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.2 yrs
in Pomona
Cost of Living
131
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Pomona, CA Overview
Pomona, California (pop. 151,348) has 11 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 131 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,430/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Pomona is approximately $68,120.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
11
Public Tuition
$7,387/yr
Private Tuition
$40,824/yr
Room & Board
$16,037/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,843/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
66%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Pomona (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Pomona's cost of living index of 131 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Pomona adjustment factor: 1.31x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Pomona
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Pomona tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,387 | Private avg: $40,824
Pomona avg aid: $10,843/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$93,696
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$22,270
vs HS diploma in Pomona
ROI Payback Period
4.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Pomona
$168,304
Lifetime earnings premium ($262,000) minus total education cost ($93,696)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Pomona
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Pomona for Aquatic Biology
Cal Poly Pomona
public
$7,387/yr
$29,548 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Mt. San Antonio College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Pomona
Pomona offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Pomona Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$73K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$73K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$67K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$59K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$61K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Sacramento, CA
$58K starting · COL 112
38 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$60K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$69K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Other Science Majors in Pomona
Aquatic Biology Degree in Pomona — 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 Pomona.