2026 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools in the Far Western Region
[Chemical & Physical Oceanography](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/oceanography-chemical-and-physical/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemical & physical oceanography education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for chemical & physical oceanography students.
What’s on this page:
ADVERTISEMENTS
Featured Chemical & Physical Oceanography Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BS in Geosciences
Gain the analytical, technical and science communications skills you need to begin your career with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.
Learn More
2026 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools in the Far Western Region
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 California San Diego tops our 2026 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $79,645. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in chemical & physical oceanography will find it at University Of Alaska Fairbanks, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $23,439. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Humboldt State University one of the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $20,526 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $29,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Students looking for strong value in chemical & physical oceanography will find it at University Of Hawaii At Manoa, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,577. 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%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #5 place for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $29,724. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #6 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,833. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $43,362 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,833 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Narrow Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools by State
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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
