Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Aquatic biologist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become an aquatic biologist. Aquatic biologists usually study biology, environmental science, or ecology, population biology, and epidemiology. 81% of aquatic biologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 10% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 152 real aquatic biologist resumes to see exactly what aquatic biologist education sections show.
The most common colleges for aquatic biologists are the Salisbury University and the Salisbury University.
There are also many online aquatic biologist courses to help get the education required to be an aquatic biologist.
What education do you need to become an aquatic biologist?
What degree do you need to be an aquatic biologist?
- Bachelor's, 81%
- Master's, 10%
- Associate, 8%
- High School Diploma, 2%
What should I major in to become an aquatic biologist?
Most common colleges for aquatic biologists
| Aquatic biologist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Salisbury University | 10.42% |
| University of Florida | 8.33% |
| Michigan State University | 8.33% |
| Purdue University | 6.25% |
| Florida State University | 6.25% |
Best majors for aquatic biologists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology | 37.0% |
| 2 | Environmental Science | 17.6% |
| 3 | Ecology, Population Biology, And Epidemiology | 11.8% |
| 4 | Zoology | 7.6% |
| 5 | Marine Sciences | 4.2% |
Best colleges for aquatic biologists
The best colleges for aquatic biologists are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Northwestern University.
An aquatic biologist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for aquatic biologists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become aquatic biologists.
1. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,184
Enrollment
30,845
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN • Private
In-state tuition
$14,760
Enrollment
31,451
7. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
8. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
9. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
10. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
20 best online courses for aquatic biologists
Advertising disclosure
1. Climate Change and Water in Mountains: A Global Concern
What is climate change ? How are mountain regions affected by the evolution of water resources and their uses ? What kind of risks need to be considered ? Mountains are recognized as particularly sensitive physical environments where intense and rapid changes have in the past, and may increasingly in the future, place pressure on their resource base. In this context, a team of roughly 100 experts worked from 2008 to 2013 for the European ACQWA project (www.acqwa.ch) which was coordinated by the...
2. Sustainable Urban Water Systems
The MOOC “Sustainable Urban Water Systems” aims to provide knowledge about modern and sustainable solutions for urban water management in water-sensitive cities. The focus is on stormwater control and water supply strategies for the mitigation of effects on the water cycles due to human settlements and climate change. In particular, the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban drainage systems, the use of alternative water resources, and the reduction of losses and waste, make...
3. Water Treatment Process Design
design water treatment& RO/NF plants, sand& multimedia filter, iron& manganese removal filter, Ion exchange DI& softener...
4. Design of Water Treatment Systems for Beginners
Learn how to fully design a water treatment system for small to medium scale projects...
5. Survey Data Collection and Analytics
This specialization covers the fundamentals of surveys as used in market research, evaluation research, social science and political research, official government statistics, and many other topic domains. In six courses, you will learn the basics of questionnaire design, data collection methods, sampling design, dealing with missing values, making estimates, combining data from different sources, and the analysis of survey data. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll apply the skills learned...
6. GIS Data Formats, Design and Quality
In this course, the second in the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialization, you will go in-depth with common data types (such as raster and vector data), structures, quality and storage during four week-long modules: Week 1: Learn about data models and formats, including a full understanding of vector data and raster concepts. You will also learn about the implications of a data’s scale and how to load layers from web services. Week 2: Create a vector data model by using vector...
7. Statistics / Data Analysis: Survey Data and Likert Scales
How to Process Survey Data and Analyze Likert Scales In SPSS...
8. Core Spatial Data Analysis: Introductory GIS with R and QGIS
Become Proficient In Spatial Data Analysis Using R & QGIS By Working On A Real Project - Get A Job In Spatial Data!...
9. Geospatial and Environmental Analysis
Apply your GIS knowledge in this course on geospatial analysis, focusing on analysis tools, 3D data, working with rasters, projections, and environment variables. Through all four weeks of this course, we'll work through a project together - something unique to this course - from project conception, through data retrieval, initial data management and processing, and finally to our analysis products. In this class you will learn the fundamentals of geospatial and environmental analysis during...
10. Total Data Quality
This specialization aims to explore the Total Data Quality framework in depth and provide learners with more information about the detailed evaluation of total data quality that needs to happen prior to data analysis. The goal is for learners to incorporate evaluations of data quality into their process as a critical component for all projects. We sincerely hope to disseminate knowledge about total data quality to all learners, such as data scientists and quantitative analysts, who have not had...
11. Species Distribution Models with GIS & Machine Learning in R
Mapping Habitat Suitability for Conservation Using Machine Learning and GIS in R...
12. The Complete MARINE BIOLOGY 101 Course, Beginner to Advanced
The NEW course with everything you need on Marine Biology - 2021 Online CERTIFICATE - Taught by a real marine biologist!...
13. Data Science:Data Mining & Natural Language Processing in R
Harness the Power of Machine Learning in R for Data/Text Mining, & Natural Language Processing with Practical Examples...
14. Fundamentals of Data Analysis for Big Data
This course prepares participants to begin running data analysis on databases...
15. Data Quality Fundamentals
Understand key concepts, principles and terminology related to Data Quality...
16. Data Warehouse Development Process
Specific aspects of Data Warehouse Development Process...
17. Cost of Quality Analysis and Reporting using Microsoft Excel
Expertly collect, analyze and present quality cost data (using Microsoft Excel) to help drive continual improvement...
18. Data Analysis Excel for Beginners: Statistical Data Analysis
Data Analysis with Excel 2013 for Beginners. Business Data Analysis. Statistical Data Analysis with Case Studies...
19. Data Analysis with Pandas and Python
Analyze data quickly and easily with Python's powerful pandas library! All datasets included --- beginners welcome!...
20. Statistics / Data Analysis in SPSS: Inferential Statistics
Increase Your Data Analytic Skills – Highly Valued And Sought After By Employers...
Top 10 most affordable universities for aquatic biologists
The most affordable schools for aquatic biologists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for aquatic biologists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for aquatic biologists.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
9. California State University - Fresno
Fresno, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,587
Cost of attendance
16,915
10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for aquatic biologists
The hardest universities for aquatic biologists to get into are Stanford University, Harvard University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for aquatic biologists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for aquatic biologists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
9. University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,448
10. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for aquatic biologists
The easiest schools for aquatic biologists to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, curry college, and wayland baptist university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an aquatic biologist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for aquatic biologists.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
3. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
4. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
5. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
6. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
7. Fresno Pacific University
Fresno, CA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,053
8. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
9. AdventHealth University
Orlando, FL • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,016
10. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
Average aquatic biologist salary by education level
| Aquatic biologist education level | Aquatic biologist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $65,924 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $59,911 |
| Doctorate Degree | $77,433 |
Aquatic biologist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.
Search for aquatic biologist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025