Marine Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their marine sciences programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for marine sciences students pursuing a degree.
Where you study marine sciences matters for your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Marine Sciences rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Marine Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Marine Sciences in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the marine sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than The University Of Texas At Austin this year for marine sciences. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 16 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine sciences program make about $57,819 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree.
Read more about the marine sciences program at The University Of Texas At Austin
San Jose State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 marine sciences degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Read more about the marine sciences program at San Jose State University
A rank of #3 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the top schools for marine sciences. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. About 88% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 10 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine sciences program make about $58,088 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,053 to complete this degree.
Read more about the marine sciences program at Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of California Davis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine sciences, ranking #4. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 marine sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine sciences program make about $53,749 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans.
Get the full marine sciences details for University Of California Davis
San Francisco State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 marine sciences students who graduated with this degree at San Francisco State University in the most recent data year. Marine Sciences graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $49,716 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,020.
Get the full marine sciences details for San Francisco State University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best marine sciences schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 27 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $27,337. Typical student debt for the program is $19,273.
Read more about the marine sciences program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Florida came in at #7 for marine sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. University Of Florida awarded about 31 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
Get the full marine sciences details for University Of Florida
Oregon State University landed the #8 spot for marine sciences this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Oregon State University graduates 70% of students within six years. Oregon State University awarded about 18 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine sciences degree from Oregon State University earn around $51,326 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,041 to complete this degree.
See the full marine sciences program report for Oregon State University
Florida Atlantic University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best marine sciences schools. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 marine sciences students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine sciences degree from Florida Atlantic University earn around $49,340 in the first couple years of their career. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans.
See the full marine sciences program report for Florida Atlantic University
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #10 position for marine sciences this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 marine sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete this degree.
Read more about the marine sciences program at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
St Marys College Of Maryland came in at #11 for marine sciences this year. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. St Marys College Of Maryland graduates 70% of students within six years. About 10 marine sciences degrees were awarded at St Marys College Of Maryland in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland generally make around $41,665. Students borrow a median of $22,655 to complete this degree.
See the full marine sciences program report for St Marys College Of Maryland
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #12 for marine sciences this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 53 marine sciences students who graduated with this degree at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine sciences degree from Florida Gulf Coast University earn around $50,726 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete this degree.
See the full marine sciences program report for Florida Gulf Coast University
Western Washington University earned the #13 position for marine sciences this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. About 24 marine sciences degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine sciences program make about $41,118 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,361.
Read more about the marine sciences program at Western Washington University
Hawaii Pacific University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best marine sciences schools. Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. About 35% of students finish within six years. Hawaii Pacific University awarded about 12 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Sciences graduates of Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of $49,182 early in their careers. Hawaii Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,385 in student loans.
Read more about the marine sciences program at Hawaii Pacific University
University Of Maine came in at #15 for marine sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. About 77 marine sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Maine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $29,243. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in marine sciences from University Of Maine
California State University Monterey Bay earned the #16 position for marine sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 115 marine sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine sciences degree from California State University Monterey Bay earn around $27,268 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans.
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Florida Keys Community College placed #17 among the best marine sciences schools. Set in the town of Key West, Florida Keys Community College is a small public institution. About 11 marine sciences degrees were awarded at Florida Keys Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine sciences program make about $47,373 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,236 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in marine sciences from Florida Keys Community College
New College Of Florida came in at #18 for marine sciences this year. Set in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. New College Of Florida awarded about 12 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine sciences degree from New College Of Florida earn around $26,626 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,407.
Get the full marine sciences details for New College Of Florida
University Of South Alabama placed #19 among the best marine sciences schools. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. University Of South Alabama graduates 52% of students within six years. University Of South Alabama awarded about 19 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine sciences program make about $51,592 in their early career. University Of South Alabama graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans.
See the full marine sciences program report for University Of South Alabama
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
