2027 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools
[Chemical & Physical Oceanography](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/oceanography-chemical-and-physical/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 25 schools to find the best return on investment for chemical & physical oceanography students.
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Finding the Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography School for You
The right chemical & physical oceanography school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemical & physical oceanography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among chemical & physical oceanography schools in the United States. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $48,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical & physical oceanography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $79,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Berkeley earned it the #4 place for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $14,238. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $70,847. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Berkeley admits about 11% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical & physical oceanography, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $17,875. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $66,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned the #6 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $50,963. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #7 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,500. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $29,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University came in at #8 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $20,526 in student loans. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $29,476. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $48,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #10 spot for chemical & physical oceanography value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,234 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $38,871 early in their careers. Set against $22,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #11 spot for chemical & physical oceanography value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $43,068 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $26,001. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Maine ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $25,984. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #14 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,833. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #15 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $42,218 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #16 spot for chemical & physical oceanography value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,396. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $13,516. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $38,459. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #18 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $20,837 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $57,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #19 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,040. Set against $26,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island placed #20 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $23,432. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #21 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Students borrow a median of $26,368 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $52,064. That is a strong return on a $26,368 median debt. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #23 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $24,830. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $47,045. Set against $24,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Connecticut came in at #24 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Miami landed the #25 spot for chemical & physical oceanography value this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $17,750. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $57,234. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
