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Biology Degree in Sparks, NV — Salary & ROI 2026

Biology degree analysis for Sparks, NV. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$50K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$79K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.9 yrs

in Sparks

Cost of Living

105.2

index (100 = avg)

Biology in Sparks, NV Overview

While Sparks has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Biology students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,754/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Biology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Cell Biology and Genetics. The adjusted starting salary in Sparks is approximately $50,496, growing to $78,900 by mid-career.

Category

STEM

Local Colleges

5

Public Tuition

$8,900/yr

Private Tuition

$24,000/yr

Room & Board

$14,754/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$11,917/yr

Unemployment

5.8%

Graduation Rate

64%

Biology Salary in Sparks (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Sparks's cost of living index of 105.2 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$50,496(+$2,496 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$78,900(+$3,900 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$99,940(+$4,940 vs national)

Note: National average Biology salary: $48,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Sparks adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.

Biology ROI Calculator for Sparks

Estimate your return on investment for a Biology degree using local Sparks tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,900 | Private avg: $24,000

Sparks avg aid: $11,917/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$94,616

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$13,676

vs HS diploma in Sparks

ROI Payback Period

6.9 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Sparks

$326,184

Lifetime earnings premium ($420,800) minus total education cost ($94,616)

Student Loan Payoff for Biology in Sparks

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$94,616
Monthly Payment$1,074
Total Interest$34,305
% of Monthly Income26%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$94,616
Monthly Payment$1,851
Total Interest$16,460
Interest Savings$17,845

Colleges in Sparks for Biology

Sparks State University

public

$8,021/yr

$32,084 total

University of Sparks

public

$8,296/yr

$33,184 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Sparks Community College

$5,982/yr

Top Employers for Biology in Sparks

Sparks offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:

NIHPfizerAmgenGenentechCDC

Key Sparks Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Biology Job Titles

Research AssistantLab TechnicianBiological Scientist

Biology Degree in Sparks — 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.

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