Best Schools for Marine Science in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the marine science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Marine Science
University Of California Davis is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in marine science. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 19 marine science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $53,749 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans.
Read more about the marine science program at University Of California Davis
Students looking for a strong marine science program will find one at San Francisco State University, which ranked #2. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. About 14 marine science degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Typical student debt for the program is $17,024.
Get the full marine science details for San Francisco State University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine science, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 24 marine science degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $27,337. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete this degree.
Get the full marine science details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Western Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine science, ranking #4. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Washington University awarded about 14 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $41,118 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,361.
Read more about the marine science program at Western Washington University
Hawaii Pacific University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best marine science schools. Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. Roughly 35% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 marine science students who graduated with this degree at Hawaii Pacific University in the most recent data year. Marine Science graduates of Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of $49,182 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,385 to complete this degree.
Get the full marine science details for Hawaii Pacific University
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #6 for marine science this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Seaside. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 108 marine science degrees were awarded at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $27,268 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,800.
See the full marine science program report for California State University Monterey Bay
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
