Aquatic Biology Degree in Santa Rosa, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Santa Rosa, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$66K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$95K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
3.8 yrs
in Santa Rosa
Cost of Living
127
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Santa Rosa, CA Overview
Santa Rosa, California (pop. 178,127) has 12 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 127 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,113/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Santa Rosa is approximately $66,040.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
12
Public Tuition
$7,724/yr
Private Tuition
$56,404/yr
Room & Board
$12,528/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,165/yr
Unemployment
6.6%
Graduation Rate
47%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Santa Rosa (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Santa Rosa's cost of living index of 127 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Santa Rosa adjustment factor: 1.27x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Santa Rosa
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Santa Rosa tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,724 | Private avg: $56,404
Santa Rosa avg aid: $13,165/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$81,008
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,590
vs HS diploma in Santa Rosa
ROI Payback Period
3.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Santa Rosa
$172,992
Lifetime earnings premium ($254,000) minus total education cost ($81,008)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Santa Rosa
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Santa Rosa for Aquatic Biology
Sonoma State University
public
$7,724/yr
$30,896 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Santa Rosa Junior College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Santa Rosa 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 Santa Rosa
Aquatic Biology Degree in Santa Rosa — 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 Santa Rosa.