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Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management

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Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management

Only 30 colleges in the country offer Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $47,243.

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About Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management

This page covers Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Natural Resources and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.

Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management is a focused area of study within Natural Resources. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $47,243 four years out, a modest return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 30 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 505 students complete it each year, most walking away with a bachelor's. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.

Median Earnings · 1yr: $33,314
Median Earnings · 4yr: $47,243
Colleges Offering: 30
Graduates / Year: 505
Avg Net Price / yr: $18,624

How Much Do Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management Graduates Earn?

Four years after finishing Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management, a typical graduate earns $47,243, below average for bachelor's degree holders. Half of earners land somewhere between $34,528 and $60,594, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $33,314 at one year out to $47,243 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.

What that figure means in practice depends on what the degree cost to get, which is a matter of lifetime earnings against total outlay.

$33,314

1 Year After Graduation

Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.

$47,243

4-Year National Median

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$48,077

4-Year Institutional Median

Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.

Earnings Range

Not every Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out a moderate amount, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.

$34,528 25th pct.

$47,243 Median

$60,594 75th pct.

Understanding the Cost vs. Return

At median 4-year earnings of $47,243 and an estimated $74,496 four-year net cost, earnings breakeven against a baseline wage takes approximately 4.3 years. Compare specific programs before committing to a high-cost option.

Based on outcomes from 22 schools. Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.

Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown

Of the 505 students who complete Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management programs each year, the majority (73%) earn a bachelor's degree. The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.

73%

Bachelor's 73%

Master's 9%

Associate's 9%

What Can You Do With a Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management Degree?

This degree does not lock you into one job. Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management graduates show up in 1 different occupations, and Farming Supervisors pay the most at $59,320/yr median. Expand any card below to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.

The best-paid of these is what Farming Supervisors earn and how fast those roles are growing, though entry requirements vary across the list.

↗ +3.8% Zone 3: Medium preparation

Farming Supervisors

$59,320

$47K $75K 25th–75th pct.

High school diploma or equivalent 7,200 openings/yr 28K employed nationally

Critical Thinking Coordination Speaking Monitoring Reading Comprehension

Day-to-day responsibilities

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

Assign tasks such as feeding and treatment of animals, and cleaning and maintenance of animal quarters.
Record the numbers and types of fish or shellfish reared, harvested, released, sold, and shipped.
Monitor workers to ensure that safety regulations are followed, warning or disciplining those who violate safety regulations.

Top Colleges for Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management

Not sure where to study Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management? These 19 colleges graduate the most students in it each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.

Ranked by score, that list starts with the cost and outcomes at Oregon State University, and the rest follow the same measures.

#	College	Graduates	Acceptance	Net Price/yr	Earnings 10yr
1	Oregon State University Corvallis, OR · Public	131	77.3%	$19,604	$64,010
2	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, IN · Public	53	49.9%	$14,600	$72,424
3	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, WI · Public	43	91.8%	$14,559	$52,021
4	University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public	40	24.2%	$6,541	$71,588
5	SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, NY · Public	35	84%	$18,701	$45,030
6	Northern Michigan University Marquette, MI · Public	29	84%	$14,085	$47,107
7	Texas A&M University-College Station College Station, TX · Public	27	57.4%	$21,315	$72,097
8	University of Idaho Moscow, ID · Public	14	75.5%	$14,831	$54,670
9	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata, CA · Public	14	98.2%	$13,171	$47,626
10	University of Rhode Island Kingston, RI · Public	10	72.2%	$21,440	$69,743
11	Hocking College Nelsonville, OH · Public	8	Open	$13,704	$37,791
12	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA · Public	7	54.8%	$24,953	$81,698
13	University of New England Biddeford, ME · Nonprofit	5	91.6%	$38,107	$55,921
14	University of Alaska Southeast Juneau, AK · Public	4	63.3%	$12,357	$48,475
15	Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, NY · Nonprofit	3	76.5%	$26,683	$46,145
16	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, MN · Public	2	79.8%	$16,778	$69,020
17	Iowa State University Ames, IA · Public	2	88.7%	$18,589	$63,386
18	South Dakota State University Brookings, SD · Public	2	98.3%	$19,841	$55,070
19	Juniata College Huntingdon, PA · Nonprofit	2	78.9%	$23,988	$56,918

View all colleges

Ranked by Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats. Read our methodology →

Plan Your Path

Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find schools that match your profile.

College ROI Calculator

See if a Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management degree pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings its graduates actually see.

College Cost Calculator

Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.

Compare Colleges

Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.

College Match Quiz

Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.

Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management Degree: Pros & Cons

Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management carries financial trade-offs prospective students should weigh carefully. The 1 strengths and 4 concerns below are drawn from College Scorecard earnings, BLS job growth data, and IPEDS completion counts.

PROS

Strong salary growth Median earnings climb from $33,314 at graduation to $47,243 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.

CONS

Modest median earnings Four-year median of $47,243 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Licensure often required Many positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
High earnings variance Gap between 25th ($34,528) and 75th ($60,594) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Limited program availability Only 30 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.

Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management Degree: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management graduates earn?

$47,243 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $34,528 and $60,594, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the starting salary for a Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management degree?

$33,314 in the first year out. That grows to $47,243 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.

What jobs can you get with a Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management degree?

Farming Supervisors are one path, and it pays a median of $59,320 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.

How long does a Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management program take?

Four years of full-time study for a Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management bachelor's degree, the standard timeline for this field. If you want a faster route into the workforce, community colleges offer a two-year associate option instead.

How many colleges offer Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management?

30 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.

Is a Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management degree worth it?

$47,243 median earnings four years out against $18,624 a year in average net price. That is a slow payback, so cost matters more than usual here: a cheaper school changes the answer. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.

What is the difference between Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management and Natural Resources?

Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management is the narrower of the two: Natural Resources covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.

What skills do employers look for in Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management graduates?

Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management graduates consistently look for technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.