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2027 Best Value Marine Biology Schools

60 Colleges in the United States
$21,931 Avg Student Debt
$61,438 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Marine Biology Badge [Marine Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/marine-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 60 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value marine biology schools.

What’s on this page:

Finding the Best Value Marine Biology School for You

The right marine biology school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Marine Biology 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

We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Marine Biology Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Marine Biology
Bachelor's Degrees in Marine Biology
Master's Degrees in Marine Biology

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 Marine Biology Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marine biology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Marine Biology Schools

1

Leading the list is California State University Long Beach, our #1 best value for marine biology in the United States. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $19,948. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $35,436. That is a strong return on a $19,948 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

2

A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for marine biology. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $14,694 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. Set against $14,694 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for marine biology. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $21,829. Marine Biology graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in marine biology will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

5

Students looking for strong value in marine biology will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #5. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $18,834 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $40,677. Set against $18,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

6

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #6 for value in marine biology this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,417 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,728 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,417 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.

7

The University Of West Florida placed #7 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $20,731. Marine Biology graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $25,299 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,731 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $16,672 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $88,607 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,672 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

9

Southern Maine Community College placed #9 among the best values for marine biology. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $13,869 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $41,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,869 median debt.

10

University Of Georgia placed #10 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $15,977 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

11

Savannah State University placed #11 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,750, compared with $19,043 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $31,576. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon came in at #12 for value in marine biology this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,780. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $10,051 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earn a median of $22,810 early in their careers. Set against $10,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon admits about 40% of applicants.

13

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #13 for value in marine biology this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $29,258. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of West Alabama placed #14 among the best values for marine biology. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,990, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $53,270 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.

15

University Of Alaska Anchorage earned the #15 position for value in marine biology this year. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public school located in the city of Anchorage. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,738, while out-of-state students pay about $21,322. Students borrow a median of $21,787 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Alaska Anchorage earn a median of $59,053 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,787 median debt.

16

University Of Hawaii At Hilo came in at #16 for value in marine biology this year. University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. Students from in state pay about $7,838 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $23,500. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $48,141. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. University Of Hawaii At Hilo admits about 61% of applicants.

17

University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #17 spot for marine biology value this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

18

University Of Puerto Rico Humacao placed #18 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the suburb of Humacao, University Of Puerto Rico Humacao is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Humacao earn a median of $15,255 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Humacao admits about 55% of applicants.

19

Coastal Carolina University landed the #19 spot for marine biology value this year. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. In-state tuition and fees average $11,640, with out-of-state students paying around $29,628. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,586. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of Delaware came in at #20 for value in marine biology this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $33,296 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

21

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #21 among the best values for marine biology. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $25,458 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,820. That is a strong return on a $25,458 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

22

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $23,585. Marine Biology graduates of Northwest Missouri State University earn a median of $42,939 early in their careers. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

23

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #23 spot for marine biology value this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,887 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,810. That is a strong return on a $18,887 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

24

College Of William And Mary earned the #24 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, while out-of-state students pay about $51,038. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $18,935. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $53,338. Set against $18,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.

25
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #25 for value in marine biology this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $22,725. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Marine Biology Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for marine biology this year:

26
27
28
29
30
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC
31
Unity College crest
Unity College
New Gloucester, ME
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

41
42
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL
43
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
44
45
46
Jacksonville University crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL
47
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC
48
49
50

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Marine Biology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 60 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 60 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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