Aquatic Biology/Limnology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting inland fresh waters such as lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, estuaries, and wetlands. Includes instruction in geology and hydrology; aquatic ecosystems; microbiology; mycology; botany; ichthyology; mammalogy; population biology and biodiversity; studies of specific species, phyla, and habitats; and applications to fields such as natural resources conservation, fisheries science, and biotechnology.
- Schools offering
- 9
- Annual completions
- 107
- Typical degree level
- Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $50k
About this major
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting inland fresh waters such as lakes, ponds, rivers, creeks, estuaries, and wetlands. Includes instruction in geology and hydrology; aquatic ecosystems; microbiology; mycology; botany; ichthyology; mammalogy; population biology and biodiversity; studies of specific species, phyla, and habitats; and applications to fields such as natural resources conservation, fisheries science, and biotechnology.
Examples of specialized tracks: Aquatic Ecology.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological technicians | $52k | +3.5% | Bachelor's degree |
| Biological science teachers, postsecondary | $83k | +7.3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Biological scientists, all other | $93k | +1.2% | Bachelor's degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$50k
Top colleges for Aquatic Biology/Limnology
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Santa Barbara | Santa Barbara, CA | 0 | 39 | 39 |
| Bemidji State University | Bemidji, MN | 0 | 17 | 17 |
| Texas State University | San Marcos, TX | 0 | 13 | 13 |
| SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Syracuse, NY | 0 | 10 | 10 |
| Stetson University | DeLand, FL | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Western Michigan University | Kalamazoo, MI | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Utah State University | Logan, UT | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Gannon University | Erie, PA | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Auburn University | Auburn, AL | 0 | 3 | 3 |
Related majors to explore
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
84,595 completions/yr
Neuroscience
10,214 completions/yr
Biochemistry
9,252 completions/yr
Biomedical Sciences, General
6,873 completions/yr
Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
3,505 completions/yr
Nutrition Sciences
3,201 completions/yr
Human Biology
2,223 completions/yr
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
2,174 completions/yr