Conservation Biology Degree in Brownsville, TX — Salary & ROI 2026
Conservation Biology degree analysis for Brownsville, TX. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$43K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$62K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.8 yrs
in Brownsville
Cost of Living
83
index (100 = avg)
Conservation Biology in Brownsville, TX Overview
Brownsville, Texas (pop. 186,738) has 7 colleges offering Conservation Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 83 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $868/month. Conservation Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and GIS skills. The adjusted starting salary in Brownsville is approximately $43,160.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
7
Public Tuition
$8,416/yr
Private Tuition
$32,593/yr
Room & Board
$12,079/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,908/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
46%
Conservation Biology Salary in Brownsville (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Brownsville's cost of living index of 83 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Conservation Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Brownsville adjustment factor: 0.83x based on the local cost of living index.
Conservation Biology ROI Calculator for Brownsville
Estimate your return on investment for a Conservation Biology degree using local Brownsville tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,416 | Private avg: $32,593
Brownsville avg aid: $12,908/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$81,980
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,110
vs HS diploma in Brownsville
ROI Payback Period
5.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Brownsville
$17,620
Lifetime earnings premium ($99,600) minus total education cost ($81,980)
Student Loan Payoff for Conservation Biology in Brownsville
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Brownsville for Conservation Biology
University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
public
$8,416/yr
$33,664 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Texas Southmost College
$2,604/yr
Top Employers for Conservation Biology in Brownsville
Brownsville offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Conservation Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Brownsville Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Conservation Biology Job Titles
Conservation Biology in Nearby Texas Cities
Houston, TX
$60K starting · COL 115
90 colleges
San Antonio, TX
$62K starting · COL 120
58 colleges
Dallas, TX
$54K starting · COL 104
82 colleges
Austin, TX
$56K starting · COL 107
30 colleges
Fort Worth, TX
$53K starting · COL 101
19 colleges
El Paso, TX
$48K starting · COL 93
38 colleges
Arlington, TX
$49K starting · COL 93.5
14 colleges
Corpus Christi, TX
$43K starting · COL 82
22 colleges
Other Science Majors in Brownsville
Conservation Biology Degree in Brownsville — 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 Conservation Biology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Brownsville.