2027 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools in the Southeast Region

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in chemical & physical oceanography, balancing cost against outcomes.
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 Southeast Region. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $48,565. That is a strong return on a $24,002 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #3 makes North Carolina State University At Raleigh one of 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. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $22,234 in student loans. 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. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Old Dominion University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. 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. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical & physical oceanography, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $42,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #6 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. 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. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi placed #7 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. 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. 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.
University Of Miami came in at #8 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $57,234. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
Narrow Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools by State
More Chemical & Physical Oceanography Rankings
View All Chemical & Physical Oceanography Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.