2026 Best Value Aquatic Biology/Limnology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[Aquatic Biology/Limnology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/aquatic-biology-limnology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong aquatic biology/limnology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 11 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value aquatic biology/limnology schools.
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2026 Best Value Aquatic Biology/Limnology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in aquatic biology/limnology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Aquatic Biology/Limnology Schools
For return on investment in aquatic biology/limnology, no school beat Utah State University this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Aquatic Biology/limnology graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Aquatic Biology/limnology graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California Santa Barbara earned it the #2 place for aquatic biology/limnology. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the aquatic biology/limnology program here. Early-career aquatic biology/limnology graduates make about $29,258. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Texas State University San Marcos is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aquatic biology/limnology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Students borrow a median of $23,659 to complete the aquatic biology/limnology program here. Soon after graduation, aquatic biology/limnology degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $47,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Students looking for strong value in aquatic biology/limnology will find it at Bemidji State University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Bemidji, Bemidji State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,237. Aquatic Biology/limnology graduates carry a median of $28,626 in student loans. Soon after graduation, aquatic biology/limnology degree recipients from Bemidji State University generally make around $35,521. That is a strong return on a $28,626 median debt. The acceptance rate is 56%.
A rank of #5 makes Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry one of the best values for aquatic biology/limnology. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Syracuse. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,303, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,763 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of Rhode Island landed the #6 spot for aquatic biology/limnology value this year. 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. Aquatic Biology/limnology graduates carry a median of $20,635 in student loans. Aquatic Biology/limnology graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Florida Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the best values for aquatic biology/limnology. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,900. Aquatic Biology/limnology graduates carry a median of $32,114 in student loans. Early-career aquatic biology/limnology graduates make about $69,878. Set against $32,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Other Aquatic Biology/Limnology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Aquatic Biology/Limnology rankings across degree levels:
View All Aquatic Biology/Limnology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.