2027 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Master’s Degree Schools

[Chemical & Physical Oceanography](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/oceanography-chemical-and-physical/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong chemical & physical oceanography education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 earned the #1 spot for value among chemical & physical oceanography schools in the United States. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $48,565 early in their careers. Set against $24,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned it the #2 place for chemical & physical oceanography. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $23,439. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $50,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in chemical & physical oceanography will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #3. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. 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. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned it the #4 place for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $29,724. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,577. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #6 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. 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. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
University Of Maine placed #7 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #8 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. 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. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #9 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $26,000. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $38,459 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #10 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. 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. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,837. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $70,539 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island placed #11 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $24,830. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $47,045. That is a strong return on a $24,830 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut placed #14 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $58,784. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Other Chemical & Physical Oceanography Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Chemical & Physical Oceanography rankings across degree levels:
View All Chemical & Physical Oceanography Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.