2027 Best Marine Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Marine Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for marine science students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Marine Science in the United States
These are the top schools for a bachelor’s degree in marine science, based on student outcomes and program quality.
Top Schools in Marine Science
University Of California Davis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in marine science. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 33 marine science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine science degree from University Of California Davis earn around $53,749 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans.
See the full marine science program report for University Of California Davis
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best marine science schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 27 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $27,337 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete this degree.
Read more about the marine science program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Florida is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. University Of Florida awarded about 31 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $58,388 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
More information about a degree in marine science from University Of Florida
Oregon State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #4 spot this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 18 marine science degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $51,326 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,041 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in marine science from Oregon State University
Students looking for a strong marine science program will find one at St Marys College Of Maryland, which ranked #5. This small public university is located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 10 marine science degrees were awarded at St Marys College Of Maryland in the most recent year. Marine Science graduates of St Marys College Of Maryland earn a median of $41,665 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,655 to complete this degree.
See the full marine science program report for St Marys College Of Maryland
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #6 spot for marine science this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. About 53 marine science degrees were awarded at Florida Gulf Coast University in the most recent year. Marine Science graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans.
Get the full marine science details for Florida Gulf Coast University
Western Washington University landed the #7 spot for marine science this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 marine science degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Marine Science graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $41,118 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete this degree.
Read more about the marine science program at Western Washington University
University Of Maine earned the #8 position for marine science this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. About 55% of students finish within six years. University Of Maine awarded about 65 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $29,243. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full marine science details for University Of Maine
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #9 for marine science this year. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. California State University Monterey Bay graduates 59% of students within six years. About 106 marine science degrees were awarded at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent year. Marine Science graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $27,268 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,800 to complete this degree.
Read more about the marine science program at California State University Monterey Bay
Florida Keys Community College landed the #10 spot for marine science this year. This small public university is located in the town of Key West. About 11 marine science degrees were awarded at Florida Keys Community College in the most recent year. Marine Science graduates of Florida Keys Community College earn a median of $47,373 early in their careers. Florida Keys Community College graduates carry a median of $13,236 in student loans.
See the full marine science program report for Florida Keys Community College
New College Of Florida earned the #11 position for marine science this year. This small public university is located in the city of Sarasota. New College Of Florida graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 marine science students who graduated with this degree at New College Of Florida in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from New College Of Florida generally make around $26,626. Students borrow a median of $17,407 to complete this degree.
Read more about the marine science program at New College Of Florida
University Of South Alabama landed the #12 spot for marine science this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. About 52% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 marine science students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Alabama in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine science degree from University Of South Alabama earn around $51,592 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Alabama graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans.
Get the full marine science details for University Of South Alabama
Other Marine Science Degree Levels
Explore the best marine science schools at other degree levels:
View All Marine Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 12 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.
