2027 Best Value Marine Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Marine Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/marine-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for marine science students.
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2027 Best Value Marine Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marine science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Marine Science Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in marine science in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
New College Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,916, with out-of-state students paying around $29,944. Students borrow a median of $17,407 to complete the marine science program here. Early-career marine science graduates make about $26,626. That is a strong return on a $17,407 median debt. New College Of Florida admits about 73% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $20,015. Early-career marine science graduates make about $50,726. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the marine science program here. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value marine science schools. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,779 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. Marine Science graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $27,268 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Florida Keys Community College came in at #6 for value in marine science this year. Set in the town of Key West, Florida Keys Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,276 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,162. Students borrow a median of $13,236 to complete the marine science program here. Marine Science graduates of Florida Keys Community College earn a median of $47,373 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #7 among the best values for marine science. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the marine science program here. Marine Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $27,337 early in their careers. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Maine ranked #8 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. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $29,243. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
St Marys College Of Maryland came in at #9 for value in marine science this year. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,298 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,374 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $22,655. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland generally make around $41,665. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of South Alabama placed #10 among the best values for marine science. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,116, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $26,513. 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. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University placed #11 among the best values for marine science. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. 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.
Western Washington University landed the #12 spot for marine science value this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete the marine science program here. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Other Marine Science Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Marine Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Marine Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
