2026 Best Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools in the Far Western Region
Chemical & Physical Oceanography is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools to find the best for chemical & physical oceanography students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Chemical & Physical Oceanography in the Far Western Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the chemical & physical oceanography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Chemical & Physical Oceanography
University Of California Santa Cruz is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in chemical & physical oceanography. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 chemical & physical oceanography students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $43,362. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $20,833 in student loans.
See the full chemical & physical oceanography program report for University Of California Santa Cruz
University Of California San Diego is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in chemical & physical oceanography, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. University Of California San Diego awarded about 43 chemical & physical oceanography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $79,645. Typical student debt for the program is $17,101.
More information about a degree in chemical & physical oceanography from University Of California San Diego
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best chemical & physical oceanography schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 48 chemical & physical oceanography degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their chemical & physical oceanography degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $29,724 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
Get the full chemical & physical oceanography details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Humboldt State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in chemical & physical oceanography, ranking #4. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 chemical & physical oceanography students who graduated with this degree at Humboldt State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their chemical & physical oceanography degree from Humboldt State University earn around $29,476 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,526.
See the full chemical & physical oceanography program report for Humboldt State University
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 14 schools evaluated.
- 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.
