Aquatic Biology Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026
Aquatic Biology degree analysis for Syracuse, NY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$71K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$103K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.9 yrs
in Syracuse
Cost of Living
137
index (100 = avg)
Aquatic Biology in Syracuse, NY Overview
Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Aquatic Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Aquatic Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and Water Quality skills. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $71,240.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$14,304/yr
Private Tuition
$57,750/yr
Room & Board
$19,896/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,141/yr
Unemployment
4%
Graduation Rate
62%
Aquatic Biology Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Aquatic Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.
Aquatic Biology ROI Calculator for Syracuse
Estimate your return on investment for a Aquatic Biology degree using local Syracuse tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750
Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$136,800
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$23,290
vs HS diploma in Syracuse
ROI Payback Period
5.9 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Syracuse
$137,200
Lifetime earnings premium ($274,000) minus total education cost ($136,800)
Student Loan Payoff for Aquatic Biology in Syracuse
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Syracuse for Aquatic Biology
Syracuse University
private
$57,750/yr
$231,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Onondaga Community College
$5,504/yr
Top Employers for Aquatic Biology in Syracuse
Syracuse offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Aquatic Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Syracuse 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
Rochester, NY
$73K starting · COL 140
13 colleges
Other Science Majors in Syracuse
Aquatic Biology Degree in Syracuse — 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 Syracuse.