Best Schools for Marine Science in the United States
Below are the best marine science schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in Marine Science
Our analysis ranked San Francisco State University the best school in the country for a degree in marine science. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. About 50% of students finish within six years. San Francisco State University awarded about 14 marine science degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine science program make about $50,955 in their early career. San Francisco State University graduates carry a median of $17,024 in student loans.
More information about a degree in marine science from San Francisco State University
Florida Atlantic University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine science, ranking #2. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Florida Atlantic University graduates 63% of students within six years. About 15 marine science degrees were awarded at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine science degree from Florida Atlantic University earn around $49,340 in the first couple years of their career. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans.
Read more about the marine science program at Florida Atlantic University
A rank of #3 makes Hawaii Pacific University one of the top schools for marine science. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Honolulu. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Hawaii Pacific University awarded about 14 marine science degrees in the most recent data 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.
Read more about the marine science program at Hawaii Pacific University
Other Marine Science Degree Levels
Explore the best marine science schools at other degree levels:
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
