Marine Biology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their marine biology programs.
College Factual analyzed 52 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best marine biology schools.
The marine biology program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Marine Biology rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best 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.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than University Of Washington Seattle Campus this year for marine biology. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 68 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $88,607 in their early career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,672 in student loans.
More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of Washington Seattle Campus
College Of William And Mary is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine biology, ranking #2. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. College Of William And Mary awarded about 26 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete this degree.
See the full marine biology program report for College Of William And Mary
California State University Long Beach came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best marine biology schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 67 marine biology degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Marine Biology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $35,436 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,948.
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Students looking for a strong marine biology program will find one at Duke University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Duke University graduates 97% of students within six years. Duke University awarded about 15 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $83,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree.
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University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine biology, ranking #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 13 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $18,728 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans.
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University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for marine biology this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 171 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $40,677 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,834 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of California San Diego
Boston University landed the #7 spot for marine biology this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 35 marine biology degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Marine Biology graduates of Boston University earn a median of $70,479 early in their careers. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in marine biology from Boston University
University Of Delaware ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best marine biology schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Delaware in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $33,296 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full marine biology program report for University Of Delaware
Stony Brook University earned the #9 position for marine biology this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 72 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Stony Brook University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $22,725. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
See the full marine biology program report for Stony Brook University
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #10 for marine biology this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $52,064. Typical student debt for the program is $26,368.
More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Northeastern University came in at #11 for marine biology this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 30 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Northeastern University generally make around $39,255. Students borrow a median of $25,611 to complete this degree.
See the full marine biology program report for Northeastern University
Auburn University earned the #12 position for marine biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. Auburn University awarded about 13 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803.
More information about a degree in marine biology from Auburn University
University Of Connecticut landed the #13 spot for marine biology this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $32,882. Typical student debt for the program is $26,798.
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Jacksonville University landed the #14 spot for marine biology this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Jacksonville. About 51% of students finish within six years. Jacksonville University awarded about 33 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Jacksonville University generally make around $72,608. Jacksonville University graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans.
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University Of Rhode Island earned the #15 position for marine biology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 46 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $26,176 in their early career. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $20,635 in student loans.
See the full marine biology program report for University Of Rhode Island
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #16 spot for marine biology this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. University Of South Carolina Columbia awarded about 49 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of University Of South Carolina Columbia earn a median of $40,525 early in their careers. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $18,896 in student loans.
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University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #17 for marine biology this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 81 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $25,810 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,887.
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Texas A And M University College Station ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best marine biology schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 108 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $40,352. Typical student debt for the program is $23,461.
See the full marine biology program report for Texas A And M University College Station
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #19 position for marine biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 54 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $52,885 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete this degree.
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University Of Alaska Anchorage placed #20 among the best marine biology schools. Located in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public university. Roughly 28% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Alaska Anchorage in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Alaska Anchorage generally make around $59,053. Students borrow a median of $21,787 to complete this degree.
Read more about the marine biology program at University Of Alaska Anchorage
University Of Oregon earned the #21 position for marine biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Eugene. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 35 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $44,628 in their early career. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans.
More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of Oregon
University Of Miami landed the #22 spot for marine biology this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 133 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $33,455. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500.
See the full marine biology program report for University Of Miami
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #23 position for marine biology this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 17 marine biology degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $39,491. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
See the full marine biology program report for Rutgers University New Brunswick
Western Washington University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best marine biology schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. There were roughly 11 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $33,323 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,040.
See the full marine biology program report for Western Washington University
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #25 position for marine biology this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 103 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $25,303. Students borrow a median of $20,389 to complete this degree.
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Rest of the Top 50 Marine Biology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s marine biology ranking:
Marine Biology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 52 schools evaluated.
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).
