by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marine Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/marine-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value marine science schools.
What’s on this page:
The right marine science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Marine Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Marine Science 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.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the marine science degrees they offer, see the list below.
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value marine science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $17,669. Early-career marine science graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for marine science. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the marine science program here. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
San Francisco State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value marine science schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans. Marine Science graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $49,716 early in their careers. Set against $17,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
New College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #5 spot this year. 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. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $17,407 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from New College Of Florida generally make around $26,626. Set against $17,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. New College Of Florida admits about 73% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #6 position for value in marine science this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
University Of California Davis ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value marine science schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $14,404. Early-career marine science graduates make about $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
California State University Monterey Bay placed #8 among the best values for marine science. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $17,800. Marine Science graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $27,268 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Keys Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value marine science schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $13,162. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $13,236 in student loans. Early-career marine science graduates make about $47,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #10 for value in marine science this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $19,273. Early-career marine science graduates make about $27,337. That is a strong return on a $19,273 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #11 spot for marine science value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $22,053. Marine Science graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $58,088 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Maine ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value marine science schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $27,000. Early-career marine science graduates make about $29,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys College Of Maryland earned the #13 position for value in marine science this year. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $22,655 in student loans. Early-career marine science graduates make about $41,665. That is a strong return on a $22,655 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value marine science schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete the marine science program here. Early-career marine science graduates make about $57,819. That is a strong return on a $21,275 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Alabama landed the #15 spot for marine science value this year. University Of South Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Mobile. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Marine Science graduates of University Of South Alabama earn a median of $51,592 early in their careers. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Alabama admits about 71% of applicants.
Oregon State University earned the #16 position for value in marine science this year. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans. Marine Science graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $51,326 early in their careers. Set against $24,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #17 for value in marine science this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Early-career marine science graduates make about $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Western Washington University placed #18 among the best values for marine science. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $20,361. Early-career marine science graduates make about $41,118. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Hawaii Pacific University landed the #19 spot for marine science value this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,392. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $25,385 in student loans. Early-career marine science graduates make about $49,182. Set against $25,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Marine Science. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Marine Sciences | 515 |
View All Marine Science Concentrations >
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.