2027 Best Value Marine Biology Schools in the Southeast Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for marine biology students.
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2027 Best Value Marine Biology Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marine biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Marine Biology Schools
Florida International University earned the #1 spot for value among marine biology schools in the Southeast Region. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $52,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes The University Of West Florida one of 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $20,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Georgia earned it the #4 place for marine biology. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $15,977. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $53,270. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.
College Of William And Mary placed #6 among the best values for marine biology. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,935 median debt. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.
Savannah State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,750, compared with $19,043 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,576 to complete the marine biology program here. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. That is a strong return on a $31,576 median debt.
Coastal Carolina University placed #8 among the best values for marine biology. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Students from in state pay about $11,640 in tuition and fees, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Students from in state pay about $12,978 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $25,000. 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.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #10 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. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. 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. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #11 among the best values for marine biology. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Alabama came in at #12 for value in marine biology this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,180, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $17,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #13 for value in marine biology this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, 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 $40,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,896 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Auburn University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $22,803. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $55,422. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Jacksonville University earned the #15 position for value in marine biology this year. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. In-state tuition and fees average $48,150. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $72,608. Set against $25,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Duke University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,758 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of Duke University earn a median of $83,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Duke University admits about 6% of applicants.
Florida Southern College placed #17 among the best values for marine biology. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,040. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of Florida Southern College earn a median of $26,616 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Nova Southeastern University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. Students borrow a median of $23,549 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $39,423. Set against $23,549 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.
Florida Institute Of Technology earned the #19 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $45,900. Students borrow a median of $32,114 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The University Of Tampa placed #20 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,408. Students borrow a median of $26,705 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $29,603 early in their careers. Set against $26,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Tampa admits about 40% of applicants.
University Of Miami ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $16,500. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $33,455 early in their careers. Set against $16,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Eckerd College landed the #22 spot for marine biology value this year. Located in the city of Saint Petersburg, Eckerd College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,884. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the marine biology program here. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Eckerd College generally make around $21,980. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
