2026 Best Marine Biology Schools in Massachusetts

Marine Biology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools to find the best for marine biology students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Marine Biology Schools in Massachusetts

Best Schools for Marine Biology in Massachusetts

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the marine biology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Marine Biology

1

Boston University
Boston, MA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

25 Marine Biology Degrees Awarded

$70,479 Median Starting Salary

Our analysis ranked Boston University the best school in the country for a degree in marine biology. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Boston University awarded about 25 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from Boston University earn around $70,479 in the first couple years of their career. Boston University graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Read more about the marine biology program at Boston University

2

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

42 Marine Biology Degrees Awarded

$39,255 Median Starting Salary

A rank of #2 makes Northeastern University one of the top schools for marine biology. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 42 marine biology degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $39,255 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,611. Read more about the marine biology program at Northeastern University

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 5 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.