Aquatic Biology Degree in Rochester, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Rochester, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$105K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in Rochester
Cost of Living
140
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Rochester, NY Overview
Rochester, New York (pop. 211,328) has 13 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 140 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,592/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Rochester is approximately $72,800.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$13,886/yr
Private Tuition
$56,653/yr
Room & Board
$21,356/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,325/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
46%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Rochester (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Rochester's cost of living index of 140 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Rochester adjustment factor: 1.40x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Rochester
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Rochester tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $13,886 | Private avg: $56,653
Rochester avg aid: $10,325/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$140,968
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,800
vs HS diploma in Rochester
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Rochester
$139,032
Lifetime earnings premium ($280,000) minus total education cost ($140,968)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Rochester
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Rochester for Aquatic Biology
University of Rochester
private
$60,550/yr
$242,200 total
Rochester Institute of Technology
private
$52,756/yr
$211,024 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Monroe Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Rochester
Rochester offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Rochester Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby New York Cities
New York City, NY
$86K starting · COL 166
49 colleges
New York, NY
$97K starting · COL 187.2
279 colleges
Oyster Bay, NY
$75K starting · COL 145
11 colleges
Buffalo, NY
$63K starting · COL 122
10 colleges
North Hempstead, NY
$73K starting · COL 141.3
9 colleges
Babylon, NY
$79K starting · COL 152.3
8 colleges
Yonkers, NY
$76K starting · COL 145.3
8 colleges
Huntington, NY
$71K starting · COL 135.6
8 colleges
Other Science Majors in Rochester
Aquatic Biology Degree in Rochester — 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 Rochester.