2027 Best Value Marine Science Master’s Degree Schools

[Marine Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/marine-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
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 the United States
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
Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best value for marine science in the United States. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Marine Science graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in marine science will find it at San Francisco State University, which ranked #2. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $17,020. Marine Science graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $49,716 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jose State University earned it the #3 place for marine science. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years out. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned it the #4 place for marine science. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in marine science will find it at Hawaii Pacific University, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,392. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $25,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from Hawaii Pacific University generally make around $49,182. That is a strong return on a $25,385 median debt. Hawaii Pacific University admits about 86% of applicants.
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
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 · 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.