2026 Best Value Fisheries Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools

[Fisheries Sciences](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/fishing-fisheries-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fisheries sciences schools.
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2026 Best Value Fisheries Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fisheries sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Fisheries Sciences Schools
Humboldt State University earned the #1 spot for value among fisheries sciences schools in the United States. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Students borrow a median of $19,129 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $29,862. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in fisheries sciences will find it at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point, which ranked #2. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Fisheries Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,399 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $42,297. Set against $21,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Students looking for strong value in fisheries sciences will find it at University Of Idaho, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Fisheries Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,844 in student loans. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
A rank of #4 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for fisheries sciences. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Lake Superior 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 Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,890. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $25,250. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $34,729. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Michigan University placed #6 among the best values for fisheries sciences. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $26,875. Fisheries Sciences graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $31,386 early in their careers. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value fisheries sciences schools. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $33,518 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $33,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value fisheries sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $23,432. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #9 spot for fisheries sciences value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $24,114 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $33,410. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Other Fisheries Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Fisheries Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All Fisheries Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.