by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 22 U.S. colleges awarded 427 degrees and certificates in Fishing & Fisheries Sciences & Management. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 57% of graduates. College Factual ranks 13 schools in its 2027 Best Fishing & Fisheries Sciences & Management 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.
A degree in Fishing & Fisheries Sciences & Management involves the study of Fishing And Fisheries Sciences And Management. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Husbandry And Production Of Non-Domesticated Fish And Shellfish Populations For Recreational And Commercial Purposes And The Management Of Fishing And Marine/aquatic Product Processing To Ensure Adequate Conservation And Efficient Utilization. Includes Instruction In The Principles Of Marine/aquatic Biology, Freshwater And Saltwater Ecosystems, Water Resources, Fishing Production Operations And Management, Fishing Policy And Regulation, And The Management Of Recreational And Commercial Fishing Activities.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, fishing & fisheries sciences & management is a popular field of study, with 427 degrees awarded annually. 22 colleges award fishing & fisheries sciences & management 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 fishing & fisheries sciences & management 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 Fishing & Fisheries Sciences & Management Schools ranking, including 9 for bachelor’s degrees and 1 for master’s degrees. It also ranks fishing & fisheries sciences & management schools within 9 states. In all, 22 colleges offer fishing & fisheries sciences & management programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Fishing & Fisheries Sciences & Management Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common fishing & fisheries sciences & management credential is the bachelor’s degree: 244 of the 427 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to fishing & fisheries sciences & management call most for Critical Thinking, Coordination 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a fishing & fisheries sciences & management 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 fishing & fisheries sciences & management, 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 Fishing & Fisheries Sciences & Management, 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 Irish Moss Bleacher, Frog Farmer, Crab Fisher and Scallop Dredger.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to fishing & fisheries sciences & management, 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% |
Fishing & Fisheries Sciences & Management 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 fishing & fisheries sciences & management, 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 |
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