[Ocean Engineering](/majors/engineering/oe-ocean-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value ocean engineering schools.
Finding the Best Value Ocean Engineering School for You
The right ocean engineering school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Ocean Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Ocean Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Florida Atlantic University tops our 2027 list of the best value ocean engineering schools in the United States. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for ocean engineering graduates is $29,000. Soon after graduation, ocean engineering degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $67,941. That is a strong return on a $29,000 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value ocean engineering schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the ocean engineering program here. Soon after graduation, ocean engineering degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the best values for ocean engineering. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Typical student debt for ocean engineering graduates is $26,000. Ocean Engineering graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $71,788 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value ocean engineering schools. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Typical student debt for ocean engineering graduates is $25,147. Soon after graduation, ocean engineering degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $70,939. Set against $25,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value ocean engineering schools. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Ocean Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ocean engineering degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $52,064. That is a strong return on a $26,368 median debt. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #6 spot for ocean engineering value this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,900. Ocean Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career ocean engineering graduates make about $68,475. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants.
This list is compiled 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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).
[Ocean Engineering](/majors/engineering/oe-ocean-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
