Conservation Biology Degree in Lexington, KY — Salary & ROI 2026
Conservation Biology degree analysis for Lexington, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$80K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.1 yrs
in Lexington
Cost of Living
107
index (100 = avg)
Conservation Biology in Lexington, KY Overview
Lexington, Kentucky (pop. 322,570) has 14 colleges offering Conservation Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 107 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,265/month. Conservation Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and GIS skills. The adjusted starting salary in Lexington is approximately $55,640.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
14
Public Tuition
$12,360/yr
Private Tuition
$42,200/yr
Room & Board
$10,700/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,397/yr
Unemployment
6.4%
Graduation Rate
65%
Conservation Biology Salary in Lexington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lexington's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Conservation Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Lexington adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.
Conservation Biology ROI Calculator for Lexington
Estimate your return on investment for a Conservation Biology degree using local Lexington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,360 | Private avg: $42,200
Lexington avg aid: $8,397/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$92,240
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,190
vs HS diploma in Lexington
ROI Payback Period
5.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lexington
$36,160
Lifetime earnings premium ($128,400) minus total education cost ($92,240)
Student Loan Payoff for Conservation Biology in Lexington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lexington for Conservation Biology
University of Kentucky
public
$12,360/yr
$49,440 total
Transylvania University
private
$42,200/yr
$168,800 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
$4,680/yr
Top Employers for Conservation Biology in Lexington
Lexington offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Conservation Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lexington Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Conservation Biology Job Titles
Conservation Biology in Nearby Kentucky Cities
Other Science Majors in Lexington
Conservation Biology Degree in Lexington — 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 Lexington.