Aquatic Biology Degree in Salt Lake City, UT — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Salt Lake City, UT. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$58K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$84K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.7 yrs
in Salt Lake City
Cost of Living
112
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Salt Lake City, UT Overview
While Salt Lake City has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Aquatic Biology students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $17,800/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Salt Lake City is approximately $58,240.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$9,222/yr
Private Tuition
$38,396/yr
Room & Board
$17,800/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,636/yr
Unemployment
6%
Graduation Rate
52%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Salt Lake City (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Salt Lake City's cost of living index of 112 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Salt Lake City adjustment factor: 1.12x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Salt Lake City
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Salt Lake City tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $9,222 | Private avg: $38,396
Salt Lake City avg aid: $10,636/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$108,088
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$19,040
vs HS diploma in Salt Lake City
ROI Payback Period
5.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Salt Lake City
$115,912
Lifetime earnings premium ($224,000) minus total education cost ($108,088)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Salt Lake City
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Salt Lake City for Aquatic Biology
University of Utah
public
$9,222/yr
$36,888 total
Westminster University
private
$38,396/yr
$153,584 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Salt Lake Community College
$4,116/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Salt Lake City Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Utah Cities
West Valley City, UT
$51K starting · COL 98.5
6 colleges
West Jordan, UT
$52K starting · COL 99.8
5 colleges
Provo, UT
$68K starting · COL 130
7 colleges
Orem, UT
$63K starting · COL 122
4 colleges
Sandy, UT
$54K starting · COL 103.8
4 colleges
St. George, UT
$65K starting · COL 125
2 colleges
Ogden, UT
$54K starting · COL 103
5 colleges
Layton, UT
$51K starting · COL 97.8
4 colleges
Other Science Majors in Salt Lake City
Aquatic Biology Degree in Salt Lake City — 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 Salt Lake City.