by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 22 U.S. colleges awarded 427 degrees and certificates in Fisheries Sciences. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 57% of graduates. College Factual ranks 13 schools in its 2027 Best Fisheries Sciences Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $35,186 one year after completing, rising to $48,144 after four years.
Did you know almost all Pacific Salmon species are threatened or endangered? Did you know you could help combat this? A degree in Fisheries Sciences will allow you to analyze this issue, brainstorm solutions, and help create new policies.
This degree will provide the necessary skills to work with both salt and fresh water fish and shellfish in order to help maintain populations and improve husbandry and production techniques.
Along with classes in aquatic and marine biology, freshwater and salt-water ecosystems, fishing policy and regulation, math, and computer science, this major also requires business and management classes to teach how to manage recreational and commercial fishing operations.
A major in Fisheries Sciences covers Fishing And Fisheries Sciences And Management.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, fisheries sciences is a popular field of study, with 427 degrees awarded annually. 22 colleges award fisheries sciences degrees, an average of 19 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 51.
By level, the 427 awards include 19 certificates, 43 associate degrees, 244 bachelor’s degrees, 108 master’s degrees and 13 doctorates.
Women earned 46% of fisheries sciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (196 of 427). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (335) and Hispanic or Latino (47), and international students earned 10.
College Factual ranks 13 schools in its 2027 Best Fisheries Sciences Schools ranking, including 9 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks fisheries sciences schools within 9 states. In all, 22 colleges offer fisheries sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Fisheries Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common fisheries sciences credential is the bachelor’s degree: 244 of the 427 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to fisheries sciences call most for Coordination, Critical Thinking and Judgment and Decision Making, and for knowledge of Mechanical, Customer and Personal Service and Biology, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Spatial Orientation, Far Vision and Near Vision.
A career in Fisheries Sciences requires an interest in fisheries, fishing operations, fish and their natural environments. If you are comfortable handling fish and shellfish and enjoy conducting research both outdoors and in a lab, this major may be for you.
A background in science, math, and computers will be helpful, as this career requires a strong understanding of these aquatic animals and their relationship to the natural environment. This career path also requires constant communication with other scientists, conservationists, and the general public making strong communication and interpersonal skills a plus.
The best way to get involved in a career in fisheries sciences is to get hands-on experience through and internship or summer job working with fish and shellfish. In an internship, you will work closely with a fishery scientist or manager and learn about conducting research, maintaining fish populations, conservation, and other skills necessary for a career in this field.
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How long a fisheries sciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 19 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 43 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 244 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 108 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 13 |
Less than a high school diploma is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to fisheries sciences, at 37.7%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Less than a high school diploma | 37.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 30.3% |
| Some college courses | 13.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 0.8% |
| Master’s degree | 0.4% |
Source: O*NET Online.
2 occupations are related to Fisheries Sciences, with an average median salary of $44,336; the strongest outlook belongs to Fishing and Hunting Workers, at 5.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Sponge Hooker, Lobster Catcher, Line Fisher and Carriage Rider.
There are a wide variety of careers available to Fisheries Sciences and Management majors. Graduates work for research labs, state or government conservation and natural resource agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. National Park Service, and the Environmental Protection Agency, fish hatcheries, or with volunteer programs.
The job market for fisheries sciences is steady, but there tends to be more opportunities and increased salaries for students who go on to receive their M.S. An advanced degree allows for more opportunities for advancement to managerial positions within organizations.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to fisheries sciences, at 137,183.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Fishing and Hunting Workers | 137,183 | 5.0% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | 33,611 | -0.6% |
Fisheries Sciences graduates earn a median $35,186 one year after completing their program, $48,144 after four years and $48,316 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $35,186 |
| 4 years | $48,144 |
| 5 years | $48,316 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to fisheries sciences, with a median salary of $51,869.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Fishing and Hunting Workers | $51,869 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $36,803 |
Fisheries Sciences includes 1 concentration; by graduates, the largest is Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management (427). It has 5 similar majors in the Natural Resources & Conservation field, which together award 33,562 degrees a year; the largest are Natural Resources Conservation and Research (25,253), Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy (3,145) and Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management (2,547). Browse all Natural Resources & Conservation majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management | 427 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 25,253 |
| Environmental/Natural Resources Management and Policy | 3,145 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management | 2,547 |
| Forestry | 2,495 |
| Natural Resources and Conservation, Other | 122 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
