Best institutions to study 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.
9 U.S. institutions graduated 126 Aquatic Biology/Limnology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1304, a specialization of Ecology (CIP 26.13), and leads most directly to the Biological Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4021).
About Aquatic Biology/Limnology programs
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.
See also: 03.0205 - Water, Wetlands, and Marine Resources Management.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Aquatic Biology/Limnology program focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of organisms in inland fresh waters, including lakes, rivers, and wetlands. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding aquatic ecosystems and their inhabitants, such as microbes, plants, and animals. It prepares graduates for various roles in environmental science and conservation.
Students in this program gain knowledge in geology, hydrology, microbiology, and biodiversity, along with practical skills in research methodologies and data analysis. Coursework typically includes studies in aquatic ecosystems, ichthyology, and population biology, equipping students with a comprehensive understanding of aquatic environments.
Credentials awarded
What Aquatic Biology/Limnology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree107 graduates / yr · 9 institutions85%
- Master's degree17 graduates / yr · 2 institutions14%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship2 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.6%
Graduates over time
Aquatic Biology/Limnology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 84 |
| 2013 | 105 |
| 2014 | 92 |
| 2015 | 99 |
| 2016 | 95 |
| 2017 | 89 |
| 2018 | 100 |
| 2019 | 103 |
| 2020 | 120 |
| 2021 | 117 |
| 2022 | 118 |
| 2023 | 92 |
| 2024 | 114 |
| 2025 | 126 |
Top 9 institutions for Aquatic Biology/Limnology, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor's | 39 | 83% | — | $29,258 |
| 2 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 20 | 55% | — | — |
| 3 | Bemidji State University Bemidji, MNPublicBachelor's | 17 | 48% | — | $35,521 |
| 4 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 15 | 82% | — | — |
| 5 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry Syracuse, NYPublicBachelor's | 10 | 66% | — | — |
| 6 | Stetson University DeLand, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 8 | 62% | $21,948 | $28,195 |
| 7 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MIPublicBachelor's | 7 | 58% | — | $23,846 |
| 8 | Gannon University Erie, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 5 | 66% | $21,409 | — |
| 9 | Utah State University Logan, UTPublicBachelor's | 5 | 59% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Ecology field (CIP 26.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 9 states
Where Aquatic Biology/Limnology graduates come from. Each state links to all Ecology programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1 | 39 | University of California - Santa Barbara39 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 20 | Texas State University20 / yr |
| Minnesota | 1 | 17 | Bemidji State University17 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 15 | Auburn University15 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 10 | SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry10 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 8 | Stetson University8 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 7 | Western Michigan University7 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 5 | Gannon University5 / yr |
| Utah | 1 | 5 | Utah State University5 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4021, Biological Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Aquatic Biology/Limnology program can pursue careers as Biological Technicians, with a median wage of $52,000 and an expected growth rate of 3.5%. There are approximately 9,100 annual job openings in related fields, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1304
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Biological Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4021 | $57,510 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Aquatic Biology/Limnology programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
- Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
- Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
Tools and technology used
Other Ecology specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Ecology (CIP 26.13).
- EpidemiologyCIP 26.13093,001 graduates / yr102 institutions
- Marine Biology and Biological OceanographyCIP 26.13022,636 graduates / yr84 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.13011,166 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyCIP 26.1310879 graduates / yr42 institutions
- Environmental BiologyCIP 26.1305481 graduates / yr51 institutions
- Conservation BiologyCIP 26.1307405 graduates / yr37 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.1399344 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Epidemiology and BiostatisticsCIP 26.1311248 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Evolutionary BiologyCIP 26.1303192 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Systematic Biology/CIP 26.1308
Biological Systematics limited data24 graduates / yr2 institutions - Population BiologyCIP 26.1306partial data10 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What degree do I need for a career in Aquatic Biology?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions in Aquatic Biology.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, data analysis, and scientific research.
What types of jobs can I get with this degree?+
You can work as a Biological Technician, Biological Science Teacher, or in various biological science roles.
Is there a demand for jobs in this field?+
Yes, there are around 9,100 annual openings, with a growth outlook about as fast as average.
What is the CIP code for Aquatic Biology/Limnology?+
Aquatic Biology/Limnology is CIP 26.1304 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Ecology (CIP 26.13). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Aquatic Biology/Limnology programs?+
9 U.S. institutions reported Aquatic Biology/Limnology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states, awarding 126 credentials in the year. That is 1.3% of all Ecology graduates.
How much do Aquatic Biology/Limnology graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Technicians occupation, which Aquatic Biology/Limnology most directly leads to, pays a median of $57,510 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Ecology field report median earnings of $29,258 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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