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Conservation Biology Degree in Montgomery, AL — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$48K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$69K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.7 yrs

in Montgomery

Cost of Living

92

index (100 = avg)

Conservation Biology in Montgomery, AL Overview

Montgomery is one of Alabama's top college towns, with 21 institutions and a student population of 17,419. Public tuition averages $10,814/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Conservation Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and GIS skills. The adjusted starting salary in Montgomery is approximately $47,840.

Category

Science

Local Colleges

21

Public Tuition

$10,814/yr

Private Tuition

$29,622/yr

Room & Board

$11,372/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$7,044/yr

Unemployment

4.5%

Graduation Rate

46%

Conservation Biology Salary in Montgomery (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Montgomery's cost of living index of 92 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$47,840($-4,160 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$69,000($-6,000 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$92,000($-8,000 vs national)

Note: National average Conservation Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Montgomery adjustment factor: 0.92x based on the local cost of living index.

Conservation Biology ROI Calculator for Montgomery

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

Public avg: $10,814 | Private avg: $29,622

Montgomery avg aid: $7,044/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$88,744

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$15,640

vs HS diploma in Montgomery

ROI Payback Period

5.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Montgomery

$21,656

Lifetime earnings premium ($110,400) minus total education cost ($88,744)

Student Loan Payoff for Conservation Biology in Montgomery

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$88,744
Monthly Payment$1,008
Total Interest$32,176
% of Monthly Income25%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$88,744
Monthly Payment$1,736
Total Interest$15,439
Interest Savings$16,738

Colleges in Montgomery for Conservation Biology

Alabama State University

public

$11,068/yr

$44,272 total

Auburn University at Montgomery

public

$10,560/yr

$42,240 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Trenholm State Community College

$4,800/yr

Top Employers for Conservation Biology in Montgomery

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

Nature ConservancyWWFUSFWSNational Parks

Key Montgomery Hiring Sectors for Science

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Conservation Biology Job Titles

Conservation BiologistWildlife ManagerEnvironmental Consultant

Conservation Biology Degree in Montgomery — 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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Compare Conservation Biology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Montgomery.

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