Marine Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best marine science schools.
Where you study marine science matters for your future. That is why we built our Best Marine Science Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Marine Science School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Marine Science Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Stony Brook University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in marine science. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. About 76% of students finish within six years. Stony Brook University awarded about 22 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Science graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537.
See the full marine science program report for Stony Brook University
University Of California Davis is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. University Of California Davis awarded about 19 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine science degree from University Of California Davis earn around $53,749 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,404.
See the full marine science program report for University Of California Davis
Students looking for a strong marine science program will find one at San Francisco State University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. San Francisco State University graduates 50% of students within six years. About 14 marine science degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $50,955 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in marine science from San Francisco State University
University Of Florida is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine science, ranking #4. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 37 marine science degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Marine Science graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,669.
See the full marine science program report for University Of Florida
A rank of #5 makes California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo one of the top schools for marine science. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo awarded about 24 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $27,337. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans.
See the full marine science program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Florida Atlantic University placed #6 among the best marine science schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 15 marine science students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine science degree from Florida Atlantic University earn around $49,340 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in marine science from Florida Atlantic University
University Of Georgia landed the #7 spot for marine science this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 marine science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine science degree from University Of Georgia earn around $53,546 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans.
Read more about the marine science program at University Of Georgia
Western Washington University earned the #8 position for marine science this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Western Washington University awarded about 14 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $41,118. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete this degree.
Get the full marine science details for Western Washington University
University Of Maine placed #9 among the best marine science schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. University Of Maine graduates 55% of students within six years. About 71 marine science degrees were awarded at University Of Maine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $29,243. University Of Maine graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
Read more about the marine science program at University Of Maine
Hawaii Pacific University earned the #10 position for marine science this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Honolulu. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. There were roughly 14 marine science students who graduated with this degree at Hawaii Pacific University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $49,182 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,385.
See the full marine science program report for Hawaii Pacific University
California State University Monterey Bay placed #11 among the best marine science schools. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. About 59% of students finish within six years. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 108 marine science degrees 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.
Get the full marine science details for California State University Monterey Bay
College Of Micronesia Fsm placed #12 among the best marine science schools. Located in Pohnpei, FM, College Of Micronesia Fsm is a public institution. College Of Micronesia Fsm awarded about 16 marine science degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in marine science from College Of Micronesia Fsm
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 41 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).
