2027 Best Value Marine Biology Master’s Degree Schools
[Marine Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/marine-biology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong marine biology education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value marine biology schools.
What’s on this page:
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
Leading the list is University Of California Los Angeles, our #1 best value for marine biology in the United States. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans. 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. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for marine biology. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $18,834 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $50,266. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #3 place for marine biology. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $16,672 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $150,114. Set against $16,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place for marine biology. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $15,977. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $25,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
University Of West Alabama is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #5 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $31,894. Marine Biology graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $53,270 early in their careers. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #6 among the best values for marine biology. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $29,258 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #7 spot for marine biology value this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $21,331. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Delaware landed the #8 spot for marine biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $25,458 in student loans. 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%.
Coastal Carolina University ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. 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. Marine Biology graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $50,334 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #11 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $18,887 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary landed the #12 spot for marine biology value this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete the marine biology program here. 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.
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,274. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $8,630 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez earn a median of $32,922 early in their careers. Set against $8,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston landed the #14 spot for marine biology value this year. Located in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the marine biology program here. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Unity College placed #15 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,640. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $27,083 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Unity College generally make around $36,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #16 for value in marine biology this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $23,461. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $52,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #17 for value in marine biology this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $20,389 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $25,303 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #18 spot for marine biology value this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $52,338. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia earned the #19 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, compared with $36,298 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,896 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $55,779 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Carolina Columbia admits about 60% of applicants.
Auburn University earned the #20 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Set against $22,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Boston University earned the #21 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the marine biology program here. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $70,479. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut placed #22 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $26,798. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $32,882 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,798 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Jacksonville University earned the #23 position for value in marine biology this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,150. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $72,608 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Duke University earned the #24 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $13,296. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $83,388. That is a strong return on a $13,296 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Northeastern University landed the #25 spot for marine biology value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $25,611. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $39,255. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Marine Biology Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in marine biology:
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
This list is compiled 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
