2027 Best Value Marine Science Schools in California
[Marine Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/marine-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong marine science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for marine science students.
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2027 Best Value Marine Science Schools in California
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the marine science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Marine Science Schools
San Francisco State University tops our 2027 list of the best value marine science schools in California. 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. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $49,716. Set against $17,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #2 spot this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. San Jose State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in marine science will find it at California State University Monterey Bay, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, 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. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in marine science will find it at University Of California Davis, which ranked #4. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans. Early-career marine science graduates make about $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the best values for marine science. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. 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. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 31%.
More Marine Science Rankings
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
