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2023 Best Value Colleges for Marine Biology

61 Ranked Colleges
1,835 Degrees Awarded
$14,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2020-2021, 1,835 people earned their degree in marine biology, making the major the 298th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools” ranking analyzed 61 colleges that offered a degree in marine biology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent marine biology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the marine biology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Marine Biology Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Biological Oceanography Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The biological oceanography school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools”.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools

The colleges and universities below are the best for biological oceanography students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Marine Biology

1
Savannah State University crest
Savannah State University
Savannah, Georgia

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Savannah State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Savannah, Georgia, this small public school awarded 37 degrees to qualified ’s biological oceanography students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our biological oceanography students list, Savannah State University has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Marine Biology Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Savannah State University is $10,157 for Biological Oceanography students.

Full Savannah State University Marine Biology Report

2
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Georgia. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological oceanography degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Marine Biology Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $14,257 for Biological Oceanography students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read full report on Marine Biology at UGA

3
Southern Miss crest
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Southern Mississippi landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, this fairly large public school awarded 29 degrees to qualified ’s biological oceanography students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Southern Miss is $14,032 for biological oceanography students.

Full University of Southern Mississippi Marine Biology Report

4

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Carolina at Wilmington landed the #4 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, and it awarded 98 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCW, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Marine Biology Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $19,136 for biological oceanography students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNCW Marine Biology Report

5

Out of the 61 schools in the Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwest Missouri State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,925 for Biological Oceanography students per year to attend Northwest.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Marine Biology Report

6

University of Maryland Eastern Shore came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools ranking. University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a small school located in Princess Anne, Maryland that handed out 3 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,117 for Biological Oceanography students per year to attend University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Marine Biology at UMES

7

Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools ranking. Sewell, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological oceanography degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $7,987 for biological oceanography students per year to attend RCSJ.

Read full report on Marine Biology at RCSJ

8
East Stroudsburg University crest
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #8, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools list. This medium-sized school is located in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 9 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $20,141 for Biological Oceanography students per year to attend East Stroudsburg University.

Full East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Marine Biology Report

9

California State University - Long Beach ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools list. This large school is located in Long Beach, California, and it awarded 25 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for Biological Oceanography students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSULB Marine Biology Report

10

University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Mayaguez, , this fairly large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s biological oceanography students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UPR Mayaguez is $10,975 for Biological Oceanography students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Marine Biology at University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

11
Unity crest
Unity College
Unity, Maine

Unity College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools list. This small school is located in Unity, Maine, and it awarded 6 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Unity is $26,261 for biological oceanography students.

Read more about Marine Biology at Unity College

12

Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools list. Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Bayamon, . It awarded 9 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon is $8,072 for Biological Oceanography students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Marine Biology at Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon

13
Montclair State crest
Montclair State University
Montclair, New Jersey

Montclair State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools ranking. Montclair State is a large public school situated in Montclair, New Jersey. It awarded 9 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,381 for Biological Oceanography students per year to attend Montclair State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Marine Biology at Montclair State University

14
San Jose State crest
San Jose State University
San Jose, California

San Jose State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools list. San Jose State is a large public school situated in San Jose, California. It awarded 6 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

San Jose State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Marine Biology Schools” list. It costs about $16,542 for biological oceanography students per year to attend San Jose State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Marine Biology at San Jose State University

15

University of Puerto Rico - Humacao ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools list. This small school is located in Humacao, , and it awarded 9 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of Puerto Rico - Humacao is $9,107 for Biological Oceanography students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Marine Biology at UPR Humacao

16
SUNY Stony Brook crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York

Stony Brook University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools ranking. Stony Brook, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological oceanography degrees to 52 students in 2020-2021.

SUNY Stony Brook also made our “Best Marine Biology Schools” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Stony Brook University is $16,119 for Biological Oceanography students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Marine Biology at Stony Brook University

17

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools ranking, coming in at #17. Texas A&M Corpus Christi is located in Corpus Christi, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s biological oceanography degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi is $17,203 for biological oceanography students.

Full Texas A&M Corpus Christi Marine Biology Report

18
Coastal Carolina University crest
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, South Carolina

Coastal Carolina University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools list. Coastal Carolina University is a public institution located in Conway, South Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 129 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Coastal Carolina University also made our “Best Marine Biology Schools” list, coming in at #24. The yearly cost to attend Coastal Carolina University is $14,129 for biological oceanography students.

Full Coastal Carolina University Marine Biology Report

19

Texas A&M University - College Station came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools ranking. This large school is located in College Station, Texas, and it awarded 118 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

Texas A&M College Station also took the #5 spot in our “Best Marine Biology Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M University - College Station is $18,919 for biological oceanography students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Marine Biology Report

20

With a ranking of #20, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools list. UT Rio Grande Valley is a large public school situated in Edinburg, Texas. It awarded 9 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend UT Rio Grande Valley is $3,743 for biological oceanography students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Marine Biology at UT Rio Grande Valley

21
Salem State crest
Salem State University
Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools ranking, coming in at #21. Salem State University is located in Salem, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s biological oceanography degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Salem State University is $19,017 for Biological Oceanography students.

Read more about Marine Biology at Salem State

22

With a ranking of #22, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools list. Columbia, South Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s biological oceanography degrees to 68 students in 2020-2021.

UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Marine Biology Schools” list. It costs about $20,559 for biological oceanography students per year to attend UofSC.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Marine Biology at UofSC

23

With a ranking of #23, University of North Alabama did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools list. UNA is a medium-sized public school situated in Florence, Alabama. It awarded 3 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend University of North Alabama is $13,699 for Biological Oceanography students.

Read full report on Marine Biology at UNA

24

Florida International University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 22 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $5,298 for Biological Oceanography students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full FIU Marine Biology Report

25
UD crest
University of Delaware
Newark, Delaware

University of Delaware did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Biological Oceanography Schools ranking, coming in at #25. This large school is located in Newark, Delaware, and it awarded 35 ’s biological oceanography degrees in 2020-2021.

UD also took the #14 spot in our “Best Marine Biology Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UD is $18,967 for Biological Oceanography students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Marine Biology at University of Delaware

Notes and References

References

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