by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Aquatic Biology/Limnology covers 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. Examples: [Aquatic Ecology]. Continue reading for the essential details every aquatic biology/limnology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering aquatic biology/limnology programs.
Across the country, aquatic biology/limnology draws strong interest, with 119 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Aquatic Biology/Limnology Schools ranking analyzes these 8 schools to determine the best overall colleges for aquatic biology/limnology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of aquatic biology/limnology programs later in this article.
Studies in Aquatic Biology/Limnology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations aquatic biology/limnology graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a aquatic biology/limnology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a aquatic biology/limnology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several aquatic biology/limnology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 110 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 9 |
People currently working in careers related to aquatic biology/limnology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-doctoral training | 27.0% |
| Master’s degree | 24.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 22.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 20.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.9% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.4% |
| Some college courses | 0.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.3% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in aquatic biology/limnology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying aquatic biology/limnology prepares you for numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to aquatic biology/limnology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to aquatic biology/limnology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 276,211 | 6.3% |
| Biological Technicians | 224,048 | 12.8% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Biologists | 118,631 | -3.6% |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | 23,620 | 9.2% |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | 11,006 | 5.4% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of aquatic biology/limnology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,645 |
| 4 years | $55,280 |
| 5 years | $64,232 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for aquatic biology/limnology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers aquatic biology/limnology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Biological Technicians | $100,160 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
| Biologists | $54,070 |
| Geneticists | $48,526 |
| Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary | $41,048 |
With 8 different aquatic biology/limnology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased aquatic biology/limnology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in aquatic biology/limnology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Epidemiology | 3,053 |
| Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography | 2,375 |
| Ecology | 1,201 |
| Ecology and Evolutionary Biology | 840 |
| Conservation Biology | 592 |
| Environmental Biology | 449 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other | 311 |
| Evolutionary Biology | 176 |
| Epidemiology and Biostatistics | 151 |
| Systematic Biology/Biological Systematics | 18 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
