College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Marine Biology Schools in the Southeast Region

20 Colleges in the United States
1,052 Marine Biology Degrees Awarded
$43,269 Avg Early-Career Salary

Marine Biology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their marine biology programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 20 schools to find the best for marine biology students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Marine Biology in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall marine biology education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Marine Biology

1

Our analysis ranked College Of William And Mary the best school in the country for a degree in marine biology. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 26 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $53,338 in their early career. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. More information about a degree in marine biology from College Of William And Mary

2
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine biology, ranking #2. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 15 marine biology degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $83,388 in their early career. Duke University graduates carry a median of $13,296 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for Duke University

3
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine biology, ranking #3. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Auburn University awarded about 13 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from Auburn University earn around $55,422 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803. See the full marine biology program report for Auburn University

4
Jacksonville University crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine biology, ranking #4. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Jacksonville. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. Jacksonville University awarded about 33 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Jacksonville University generally make around $72,608. Students borrow a median of $25,619 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in marine biology from Jacksonville University

5

University Of South Carolina Columbia is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 49 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of South Carolina Columbia generally make around $40,525. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $18,896 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia

6

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #6 among the best marine biology schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 54 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Typical student debt for the program is $21,829. More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of South Florida Main Campus

7
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami placed #7 among the best marine biology schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. About 84% of students finish within six years. University Of Miami awarded about 133 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of Miami earn around $33,455 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for University Of Miami

8

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #8 position for marine biology this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 103 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $25,303. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates carry a median of $20,389 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

9

Florida International University earned the #9 position for marine biology this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. About 48 marine biology degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Typical student debt for the program is $19,349. More information about a degree in marine biology from Florida International University

10
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University came in at #10 for marine biology this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 55 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of Nova Southeastern University earn a median of $39,423 early in their careers. Nova Southeastern University graduates carry a median of $23,549 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for Nova Southeastern University

11

The University Of Alabama came in at #11 for marine biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 19 marine biology degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $17,511. Typical student debt for the program is $24,496. More information about a degree in marine biology from The University Of Alabama

12

The University Of Tampa placed #12 among the best marine biology schools. The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. The University Of Tampa graduates 64% of students within six years. About 60 marine biology degrees were awarded at The University Of Tampa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from The University Of Tampa generally make around $29,603. Typical student debt for the program is $26,705. Get the full marine biology details for The University Of Tampa

13

Florida Southern College placed #13 among the best marine biology schools. Located in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 31 marine biology degrees were awarded at Florida Southern College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Florida Southern College generally make around $26,616. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the marine biology program at Florida Southern College

14

University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best marine biology schools. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. University Of Southern Mississippi graduates 49% of students within six years. About 38 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Southern Mississippi in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $52,338 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete this degree. Read more about the marine biology program at University Of Southern Mississippi

15

The University Of West Florida landed the #15 spot for marine biology this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 31 marine biology degrees were awarded at The University Of West Florida in the most recent year. Marine Biology graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $25,299 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,731. More information about a degree in marine biology from The University Of West Florida

16
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston landed the #16 spot for marine biology this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. College Of Charleston graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at College Of Charleston in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. College Of Charleston graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for College Of Charleston

17

Coastal Carolina University came in at #17 for marine biology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Conway. About 48% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 148 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Coastal Carolina University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,586. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Get the full marine biology details for Coastal Carolina University

18
Eckerd College crest
Eckerd College
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College placed #18 among the best marine biology schools. Eckerd College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Petersburg. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 111 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Eckerd College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from Eckerd College earn around $21,980 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in marine biology from Eckerd College

19

Florida Institute Of Technology placed #19 among the best marine biology schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 marine biology degrees were awarded at Florida Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $69,878 in their early career. Florida Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $32,114 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for Florida Institute Of Technology

20

Savannah State University landed the #20 spot for marine biology this year. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. About 28% of students finish within six years. About 16 marine biology degrees were awarded at Savannah State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $34,489 in their early career. Savannah State University graduates carry a median of $31,576 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for Savannah State University

View All Marine Biology Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 20 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options