2027 Best Value Marine Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
[Marine Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/marine-science/marine-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for marine sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Marine Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the marine sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Marine Sciences Schools
San Francisco State University earned the #1 spot for value among marine sciences schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,020 to complete the marine sciences program here. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $49,716. That is a strong return on a $17,020 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #2 place for marine sciences. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Monterey Bay earned it the #3 place for marine sciences. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine sciences graduates is $17,800. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $27,268. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Davis one of the best values for marine sciences. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the marine sciences program here. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned it the #5 place for marine sciences. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Typical student debt for marine sciences graduates is $19,273. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $27,337. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University landed the #6 spot for marine sciences value this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $51,326. That is a strong return on a $24,041 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Western Washington University placed #7 among the best values for marine sciences. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete the marine sciences program here. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. Set against $20,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Hawaii Pacific University earned the #8 position for value in marine sciences this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,392. Students borrow a median of $25,385 to complete the marine sciences program here. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $49,182. Set against $25,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hawaii Pacific University admits about 86% of applicants.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
