Aquatic Biology Degree in Scottsdale, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Scottsdale, AZ. 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
3.1 yrs
in Scottsdale
Cost of Living
126
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Scottsdale, AZ Overview
Scottsdale, Arizona (pop. 241,361) has 16 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 126 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,416/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Scottsdale is approximately $65,520.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$2,580/yr
Private Tuition
$47,544/yr
Room & Board
$14,253/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,836/yr
Unemployment
3.8%
Graduation Rate
50%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Scottsdale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Scottsdale's cost of living index of 126 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Scottsdale adjustment factor: 1.26x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Scottsdale
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Scottsdale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $2,580 | Private avg: $47,544
Scottsdale avg aid: $14,836/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$67,332
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,420
vs HS diploma in Scottsdale
ROI Payback Period
3.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Scottsdale
$184,668
Lifetime earnings premium ($252,000) minus total education cost ($67,332)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Scottsdale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Scottsdale for Aquatic Biology
Scottsdale Community College
public
$2,580/yr
$10,320 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Scottsdale Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Scottsdale
Scottsdale offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Scottsdale Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Aquatic Biology Job Titles
Aquatic Biology in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$79K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$60K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$57K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$64K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$62K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Glendale, AZ
$55K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$54K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$59K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Science Majors in Scottsdale
Aquatic Biology Degree in Scottsdale — 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 Scottsdale.