2027 Best Value Marine Biology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 50 schools to find the best return on investment for marine biology students.
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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
For return on investment in marine biology, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $19,948 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #2 makes The University Of Texas Pan American one of the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #3 spot this year. 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 $21,829 to complete the marine biology program here. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Students looking for strong value in marine biology will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #4. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for marine biology. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,834 to complete the marine biology program here. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $31,088. Set against $18,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $17,417. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $18,728. That is a strong return on a $17,417 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #7 position for value in marine biology this year. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $20,731. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $25,299. That is a strong return on a $20,731 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $16,672 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $27,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia earned the #9 position for value in marine biology this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $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. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Savannah State University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $31,576. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $34,489. That is a strong return on a $31,576 median debt.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #11 for value in marine biology this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $12,500. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $29,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon landed the #12 spot for marine biology value this year. Set in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $10,051 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $22,810. That is a strong return on a $10,051 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. 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, compared with $20,798 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $23,500. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Hilo generally make around $48,141. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Humacao came in at #14 for value in marine biology this year. Located in the suburb of Humacao, University Of Puerto Rico Humacao is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $15,255. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Humacao admits about 55% of applicants.
Coastal Carolina University earned the #15 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, compared with $29,628 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $26,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Delaware ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. 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, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $33,296. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #17 among the best values for marine biology. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,458 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Northwest Missouri State University landed the #18 spot for marine biology value this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #19 for value in marine biology 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $18,887 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,810. That is a strong return on a $18,887 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Stony Brook University placed #20 among the best values for marine biology. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $22,725 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
University Of Maine placed #21 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $47,975. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Students borrow a median of $18,783 to complete the marine biology program here. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,762. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #23 spot for marine biology value this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $20,389. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,303. Set against $20,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
College Of Charleston placed #24 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $25,000. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $40,222. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Unity College came in at #25 for value in marine biology this year. Unity College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. Students from in state pay about $12,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,083 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of Unity College earn a median of $36,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,083 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Marine Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s marine biology value ranking:
Other Marine Biology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Marine Biology rankings across degree levels:
View All Marine Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 50 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 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.
