2027 Best Value Marine Sciences Schools
[Marine Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/marine-science/marine-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for marine sciences students.
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Finding the Best Value Marine Sciences School for You
Where you study marine sciences affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we built our Best Value Marine Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
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2027 Best Value Marine Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marine sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Marine Sciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for marine sciences in the United States. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the marine sciences program here. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Florida Atlantic University one of the best values for marine sciences. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine sciences graduates is $20,212. Marine Sciences graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
San Francisco State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,020 in student loans. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $49,716. Set against $17,020 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
San Jose State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,410, while out-of-state students pay about $21,010. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
New College Of Florida came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. Located in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,916, with out-of-state students paying around $29,944. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,407 in student loans. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $26,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Gulf Coast University landed the #6 spot for marine sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the marine sciences program here. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $50,726. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis placed #7 among the best values for marine sciences. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Students from in state pay about $15,804 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the marine sciences program here. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $53,749. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Monterey Bay ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine sciences graduates is $17,800. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $27,268. Set against $17,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
Florida Keys Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. Florida Keys Community College is a small public school located in the town of Key West. Students from in state pay about $3,276 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,162. Typical student debt for marine sciences graduates is $13,236. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from Florida Keys Community College generally make around $47,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. Students borrow a median of $19,273 to complete the marine sciences program here. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $27,337. Set against $19,273 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #11 among the best values for marine sciences. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine sciences graduates is $22,053. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $58,088. Set against $22,053 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
University Of Maine earned the #12 position for value in marine sciences this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Marine Sciences graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $29,243 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys College Of Maryland came in at #13 for value in marine sciences this year. Set in the rural area of St. Mary's City, St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,298, while out-of-state students pay about $31,374. Students borrow a median of $22,655 to complete the marine sciences program here. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $41,665. Set against $22,655 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $57,819. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of South Alabama earned the #15 position for value in marine sciences this year. Set in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,116 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,092. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from University Of South Alabama generally make around $51,592. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University placed #16 among the best values for marine sciences. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans. Marine Sciences graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $51,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #17 for value in marine sciences this year. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,106 in student loans. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $54,669. Set against $27,106 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,361 in student loans. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $41,118. That is a strong return on a $20,361 median debt. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Hawaii Pacific University placed #19 among the best values for marine sciences. Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,392. Students borrow a median of $25,385 to complete the marine sciences program here. Marine Sciences graduates of Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of $49,182 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,385 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 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.
