2027 Best Value Marine Science Schools in the Southeast Region

[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 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for marine science students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Marine Science Schools in the Southeast Region
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
University Of Florida tops our 2027 list of the best value marine science schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. Marine Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in marine science will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at New College Of Florida earned it the #3 place for marine science. 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. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $17,407. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from New College Of Florida generally make around $26,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Students looking for strong value in marine science will find it at Florida Gulf Coast University, which ranked #4. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Marine Science graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans. Marine Science graduates of Florida Gulf Coast University earn a median of $50,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Florida Keys Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida Keys Community College is a small public school located in the town of Key West. In-state tuition and fees average $3,276, while out-of-state students pay about $13,162. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $13,236. Early-career marine science graduates make about $47,373. That is a strong return on a $13,236 median debt.
University Of South Alabama came in at #6 for value in marine science this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,092 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Marine Science Schools by State
More Marine Science Rankings
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.