2027 Best Value Marine Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region

[Marine Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/marine-science/marine-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong marine sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for marine sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Marine Sciences Schools in the Southeast 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
For return on investment in marine sciences, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the marine sciences program here. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for marine sciences. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine sciences graduates is $20,212. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
A rank of #3 makes New College Of Florida one of the best values for marine sciences. Located in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,916, compared with $29,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine sciences graduates is $17,407. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from New College Of Florida generally make around $26,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Gulf Coast University earned it the #4 place for marine sciences. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, compared with $25,162 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the marine sciences program here. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Keys Community College earned it the #5 place for marine sciences. Set in the town of Key West, Florida Keys Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,276, compared with $13,162 for out-of-state students. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,236 in student loans. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $47,373. Set against $13,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of South Alabama placed #6 among the best values for marine sciences. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Marine Sciences graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $51,592 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Narrow Marine Sciences Schools by State
More Marine Sciences Rankings
View All Marine Sciences Rankings >
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 · 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.