by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study marine sciences, you’ve come to the right place. This ranking highlights 10 programs that serve veteran marine sciences students especially well, using our 2026 methodology.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits (including GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon support), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. So you can compare your options, College Factual evaluated colleges nationwide, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Explore the best marine sciences colleges for veterans at a specific degree level:
Learn more about these veteran-friendly marine sciences colleges below:
Leading the list is Stony Brook University, our #1 marine sciences college for veterans. Stony Brook University scores 87.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about marine sciences at Stony Brook University
A rank of #2 makes University of Florida one of the top marine sciences colleges for veteran students. University of Florida scores 86.4 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, alongside a 100.0 veteran-support score. See the full marine sciences report for University of Florida
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a great choice for veterans pursuing marine sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. It scores 84.6 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. More about the marine sciences program at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Texas A&M University-College Station is a great choice for veterans pursuing marine sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. It scores 82.5 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. See the full marine sciences report for Texas A&M University-College Station
University of California-Davis came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best marine sciences colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 74.9 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. See the full marine sciences report for University of California-Davis
Western Washington University placed #6 among the best marine sciences colleges for veterans. Western Washington University scores 71.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. Read more about marine sciences at Western Washington University
Florida Atlantic University came in at #7 for veteran marine sciences students this year. Florida Atlantic University scores 68.8 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full marine sciences report for Florida Atlantic University
California State University-Monterey Bay came in at #8 for veteran marine sciences students this year. It scores 68.7 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 33.3. More about the marine sciences program at California State University-Monterey Bay
University of Maine landed the #9 spot for veterans pursuing marine sciences. University of Maine scores 61.4 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, alongside a 66.7 veteran-support score. Read more about marine sciences at University of Maine
Hawaii Pacific University landed the #10 spot for veterans pursuing marine sciences. Hawaii Pacific University scores 59.1 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 82.1, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. Read more about marine sciences at Hawaii Pacific University
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
Our ranking weighs the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students studying marine sciences: affordability and veteran financial benefits (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
These rankings are produced by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
