[Fisheries Sciences](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/fishing-fisheries-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fisheries sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value fisheries sciences schools.
Finding the Best Value Fisheries Sciences School for You
The right fisheries sciences school can pay off for years to come. That is why we built our Best Value Fisheries Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Fisheries Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among fisheries sciences schools in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $17,669. Fisheries Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $53,216 early in their careers. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bellingham Technical College earned it the #2 place for fisheries sciences. Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Bellingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,431, with out-of-state students paying around $5,809. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
University Of Alaska Southeast is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fisheries sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,936, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $20,458. Fisheries Sciences graduates of University Of Alaska Southeast earn a median of $63,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
A rank of #4 makes Lake Superior State University one of the best values for fisheries sciences. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $34,729. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt.
Humboldt State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in fisheries sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $19,129. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $29,862. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Hocking College came in at #6 for value in fisheries sciences this year. Hocking College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Nelsonville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Students borrow a median of $16,535 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Fisheries Sciences graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $37,713 early in their careers. Set against $16,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point placed #7 among the best values for fisheries sciences. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,399 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Fisheries Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $42,297 early in their careers. Set against $21,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in fisheries sciences this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $31,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University placed #9 among the best values for fisheries sciences. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $26,875. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $31,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Idaho came in at #10 for value in fisheries sciences this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $23,844 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Fisheries Sciences graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Oregon State University placed #11 among the best values for fisheries sciences. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $33,518. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $33,314. Set against $33,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #12 position for value in fisheries sciences this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Fisheries Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,114 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $33,410. That is a strong return on a $24,114 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #13 position for value in fisheries sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
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).
[Fisheries Sciences](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/fishing-fisheries-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong fisheries sciences education at a price that pays off.
