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Conservation Biology Degree in Syracuse, NY — Salary & ROI 2026

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

Starting Salary

$71K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$103K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.9 yrs

in Syracuse

Cost of Living

137

index (100 = avg)

Conservation Biology in Syracuse, NY Overview

Syracuse, New York (pop. 148,620) has 10 colleges offering Conservation Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 137 is higher than average, so budget accordingly, with average rent near campus at $1,093/month. Conservation Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and GIS skills. The adjusted starting salary in Syracuse is approximately $71,240.

Category

Science

Local Colleges

10

Public Tuition

$14,304/yr

Private Tuition

$57,750/yr

Room & Board

$19,896/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$16,141/yr

Unemployment

4%

Graduation Rate

62%

Conservation Biology Salary in Syracuse (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Syracuse's cost of living index of 137 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$71,240(+$19,240 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$102,750(+$27,750 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$137,000(+$37,000 vs national)

Note: National average Conservation Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Syracuse adjustment factor: 1.37x based on the local cost of living index.

Conservation Biology ROI Calculator for Syracuse

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

Public avg: $14,304 | Private avg: $57,750

Syracuse avg aid: $16,141/yr

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

Total Education Cost

$136,800

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$23,290

vs HS diploma in Syracuse

ROI Payback Period

5.9 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Syracuse

$27,600

Lifetime earnings premium ($164,400) minus total education cost ($136,800)

Student Loan Payoff for Conservation Biology in Syracuse

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$1,553
Total Interest$49,600
% of Monthly Income26%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$136,800
Monthly Payment$2,677
Total Interest$23,799
Interest Savings$25,801

Colleges in Syracuse for Conservation Biology

Syracuse University

private

$57,750/yr

$231,000 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Onondaga Community College

$5,504/yr

Top Employers for Conservation Biology in Syracuse

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

Nature ConservancyWWFUSFWSNational Parks

Key Syracuse 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 Syracuse — 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 Syracuse.

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