2027 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Chemical & Physical Oceanography](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/oceanography-chemical-and-physical/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 22 schools to find the best return on investment for chemical & physical oceanography students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemical & physical oceanography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools
University Of South Florida Main Campus tops our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools in the United States. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $48,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for chemical & physical oceanography. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $17,101. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $79,645 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Students looking for strong value in chemical & physical oceanography will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #3. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Students looking for strong value in chemical & physical oceanography will find it at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $66,254. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #6 spot for chemical & physical oceanography value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $29,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Humboldt State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,526. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $29,476. Set against $20,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #8 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $48,181. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #9 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,234 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $38,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #10 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $25,000. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $43,068 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Old Dominion University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of California Santa Cruz placed #12 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,833. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $40,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #13 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $42,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #14 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $38,459. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,837 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $44,585. That is a strong return on a $20,837 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for chemical & physical oceanography value this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $26,334. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $28,040. Set against $26,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #17 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $23,432. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #18 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #19 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,852. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $26,368. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $52,064. Set against $26,368 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #20 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $24,830 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $47,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,830 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Connecticut ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $58,784. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. The acceptance rate is 52%.
University Of Miami landed the #22 spot for chemical & physical oceanography value this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $62,616 in tuition and fees. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.
Other Chemical & Physical Oceanography Degree Levels
Explore the best-value chemical & physical oceanography schools at other degree levels:
View All Chemical & Physical Oceanography Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
