2026 Best Value Marine Biology Schools in the Far Western Region

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

For return on investment in marine biology, no school beat California State University Long Beach this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,948 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $35,436. Set against $19,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

2

University Of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK

University Of Alaska Southeast is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,936, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $20,458 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Alaska Southeast earn a median of $63,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,458 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $40,677. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.

4

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for marine biology. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, 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 $88,607. Set against $16,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

5

University Of Hawaii At Hilo
Hilo, HI

University Of Hawaii At Hilo came in at #5 on our 2026 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,838, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Hawaii At Hilo earn a median of $48,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.

6

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #6 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $25,820. Set against $25,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

7

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. 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. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

8

University Of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK

University Of Alaska Anchorage ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,738 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $21,787. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $59,053. That is a strong return on a $21,787 median debt.

9

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #9 for value in marine biology this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $18,728. Set against $17,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.

10

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Marine Biology graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $25,810 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,887 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

11

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University placed #11 among the best values for marine biology. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Students borrow a median of $23,040 to complete the marine biology program here. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $33,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.

12

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon placed #12 among the best values for marine biology. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $22,034. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,034 median debt. University Of Oregon admits about 88% of applicants.

13

Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University earned the #13 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,392. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $25,000. Marine Biology graduates of Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of $25,499 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA

University Of Southern California ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $71,647. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $75,677 early in their careers. Set against $15,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 10% of applicants are accepted.