Conservation Biology Degree in Virginia Beach, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Conservation Biology degree analysis for Virginia Beach, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$46K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$66K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
in Virginia Beach
Cost of Living
88
index (100 = avg)
Conservation Biology in Virginia Beach, VA Overview
Virginia Beach, Virginia (pop. 459,470) has 13 colleges offering Conservation Biology programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $975/month. Conservation Biology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Ecology and GIS skills. The adjusted starting salary in Virginia Beach is approximately $45,760.
Category
Science
Local Colleges
13
Public Tuition
$11,210/yr
Private Tuition
$28,926/yr
Room & Board
$9,485/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,610/yr
Unemployment
3.2%
Graduation Rate
51%
Conservation Biology Salary in Virginia Beach (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Conservation Biology salary: $52,000 starting, $75,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Virginia Beach adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.
Conservation Biology ROI Calculator for Virginia Beach
Estimate your return on investment for a Conservation Biology degree using local Virginia Beach tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $11,210 | Private avg: $28,926
Virginia Beach avg aid: $12,610/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,780
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$14,960
vs HS diploma in Virginia Beach
ROI Payback Period
5.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Virginia Beach
$22,820
Lifetime earnings premium ($105,600) minus total education cost ($82,780)
Student Loan Payoff for Conservation Biology in Virginia Beach
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Virginia Beach for Conservation Biology
Regent University
private
$19,100/yr
$76,400 total
Virginia Wesleyan University
private
$38,752/yr
$155,008 total
Old Dominion University
public
$11,210/yr
$44,840 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Tidewater Community College
$5,340/yr
Top Employers for Conservation Biology in Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Conservation Biology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Virginia Beach Hiring Sectors for Science
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Conservation Biology Job Titles
Conservation Biology in Nearby Virginia Cities
Chesapeake, VA
$47K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$74K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$48K starting · COL 93
16 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 Virginia Beach
Conservation Biology Degree in Virginia Beach — 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 Virginia Beach.