Botany Degree in Norfolk, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Botany degree analysis for Norfolk, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Norfolk
Cost of Living
93
index (100 = avg)
Botany in Norfolk, VA Overview
Norfolk, Virginia (pop. 238,005) has 16 colleges offering Botany programs. The local cost of living index of 93 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $956/month. Botany enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Plant Taxonomy and Ecology. The adjusted starting salary in Norfolk is approximately $48,360.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$10,571/yr
Private Tuition
$25,348/yr
Room & Board
$9,443/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,816/yr
Unemployment
4.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Botany Salary in Norfolk (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Norfolk's cost of living index of 93 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Botany salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Norfolk adjustment factor: 0.93x based on the local cost of living index.
Botany ROI Calculator for Norfolk
Estimate your return on investment for a Botany degree using local Norfolk tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,571 | Private avg: $25,348
Norfolk avg aid: $15,816/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$80,056
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,810
vs HS diploma in Norfolk
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Norfolk
$59,444
Lifetime earnings premium ($139,500) minus total education cost ($80,056)
Student Loan Payoff for Botany in Norfolk
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Norfolk for Botany
Old Dominion University
public
$11,210/yr
$44,840 total
Norfolk State University
public
$9,932/yr
$39,728 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College Norfolk
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Botany in Norfolk
Norfolk offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Botany graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Norfolk Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Botany Job Titles
Botany in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$46K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$47K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$74K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Richmond, VA
$52K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$48K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$53K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$50K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Roanoke, VA
$46K starting · COL 88.5
4 colleges
Other Science Majors in Norfolk
Botany Degree in Norfolk — 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 Botany ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Norfolk.