Aquatic Biology Degree in Providence, RI — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Providence, RI. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$106K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Providence
Cost of Living
141
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Providence, RI Overview
Providence, Rhode Island (pop. 190,934) has 7 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 141 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,476/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Providence is approximately $73,320.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$15,259/yr
Private Tuition
$59,540/yr
Room & Board
$17,733/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,708/yr
Unemployment
4.3%
Graduation Rate
54%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Providence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Providence's cost of living index of 141 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Providence adjustment factor: 1.41x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Providence
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Providence tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $15,259 | Private avg: $59,540
Providence avg aid: $15,708/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$131,968
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,970
vs HS diploma in Providence
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Providence
$150,032
Lifetime earnings premium ($282,000) minus total education cost ($131,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Providence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Providence for Aquatic Biology
Brown University
private
$62,680/yr
$250,720 total
Providence College
private
$56,400/yr
$225,600 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Community College of Rhode Island
$4,994/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Providence
Providence offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Providence Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Rhode Island Cities
Other Science Majors in Providence
Aquatic Biology Degree in Providence — 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 Providence.