Marine Science degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for marine science students pursuing a degree.
The marine science program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Marine Science rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Marine Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than The University Of Texas At Austin this year for marine science. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 marine science degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Marine Science graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $57,819 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete this degree.
Read more about the marine science program at The University Of Texas At Austin
A rank of #2 makes San Jose State University one of the top schools for marine science. This very large public university is located in the city of San Jose. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. San Jose State University awarded about 11 marine science degrees in the most recent data year.
Get the full marine science details for San Jose State University
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 10 marine science degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $58,088 in their early career. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $22,053 in student loans.
More information about a degree in marine science from Ohio State University Main Campus
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Davis one of the top schools for marine science. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 33 marine science degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $53,749 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,404.
Get the full marine science details for University Of California Davis
San Francisco State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best marine science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 10 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Science graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $49,716 early in their careers. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans.
Get the full marine science details for San Francisco State University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best marine science schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 27 marine science students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Marine Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $27,337 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,273.
Get the full marine science details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of Florida placed #7 among the best marine science schools. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 marine science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Marine Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in marine science from University Of Florida
Oregon State University landed the #8 spot for marine science this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 marine science degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $51,326. Oregon State University graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans.
See the full marine science program report for Oregon State University
Florida Atlantic University placed #9 among the best marine science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Boca Raton. About 63% of students finish within six years. Florida Atlantic University awarded about 11 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Science graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans.
More information about a degree in marine science from Florida Atlantic University
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #10 position for marine science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. About 52% of students finish within six years. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth awarded about 15 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans.
See the full marine science program report for University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
St Marys College Of Maryland ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best marine science schools. Located in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public university. St Marys College Of Maryland graduates 70% of students within six years. About 10 marine science degrees were awarded at St Marys College Of Maryland in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $41,665 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,655 to complete this degree.
See the full marine science program report for St Marys College Of Maryland
Florida Gulf Coast University placed #12 among the best marine science schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates 57% of students within six years. Florida Gulf Coast University awarded about 53 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Florida Gulf Coast University graduates carry a median of $20,015 in student loans.
See the full marine science program report for Florida Gulf Coast University
Western Washington University landed the #13 spot for marine science this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. About 24 marine science degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. Typical student debt for the program is $20,361.
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Hawaii Pacific University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best marine science schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. About 12 marine science degrees were awarded at Hawaii Pacific University in the most recent year. Marine Science graduates of Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of $49,182 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,385.
More information about a degree in marine science from Hawaii Pacific University
University Of Maine ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best marine science schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Orono. The six-year graduation rate is 55%. University Of Maine awarded about 77 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $29,243 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full marine science program report for University Of Maine
California State University Monterey Bay placed #16 among the best marine science schools. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 115 marine science students who graduated with this degree at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine science degree from California State University Monterey Bay earn around $27,268 in the first couple years of their career. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans.
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Florida Keys Community College came in at #17 for marine science this year. Located in the town of Key West, Florida Keys Community College is a small public university. Florida Keys Community College awarded about 11 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine science degree from Florida Keys Community College earn around $47,373 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,236.
More information about a degree in marine science from Florida Keys Community College
New College Of Florida came in at #18 for marine science this year. Set in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 12 marine science degrees were awarded at New College Of Florida in the most recent year. Marine Science graduates of New College Of Florida earn a median of $26,626 early in their careers. New College Of Florida graduates carry a median of $17,407 in student loans.
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University Of South Alabama earned the #19 position for marine science this year. This large public university is located in the city of Mobile. About 52% of students finish within six years. University Of South Alabama awarded about 19 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $51,592. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete this degree.
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This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.
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).
