2026 Best Value Aquatic Biology/Limnology Master’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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for aquatic biology/limnology students.
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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
Utah State University earned the #1 spot for value among aquatic biology/limnology schools in the United States. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the aquatic biology/limnology program here. Aquatic Biology/limnology graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Texas State University San Marcos one of the best values for aquatic biology/limnology. 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. Set against $23,659 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Eastern Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in aquatic biology/limnology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,781 to complete the aquatic biology/limnology program here. Soon after graduation, aquatic biology/limnology degree recipients from Eastern Michigan University generally make around $47,887. Set against $28,781 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value aquatic biology/limnology schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,303, compared with $22,263 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,763 ten years after entry. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry admits about 63% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Institute Of Technology earned it the #5 place for aquatic biology/limnology. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,900. Typical student debt for aquatic biology/limnology graduates is $32,114. Aquatic Biology/limnology graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Other Aquatic Biology/Limnology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value aquatic biology/limnology schools at other degree levels:
View All Aquatic Biology/Limnology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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.