2027 Best Value Marine Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Marine Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/marine-science/marine-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong marine sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value marine sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Marine Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the marine sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Marine Sciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for marine sciences in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the marine sciences program here. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
New College Of Florida came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. Set in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,916, compared with $29,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine sciences graduates is $17,407. Marine Sciences graduates of New College Of Florida earn a median of $26,626 early in their careers. Set against $17,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Florida Gulf Coast University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public school located in the suburb of Fort Myers. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the marine sciences program here. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Davis one of the best values for marine sciences. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the marine sciences program here. Marine Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Monterey Bay one of the best values for marine sciences. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,800 to complete the marine sciences program here. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $27,268. That is a strong return on a $17,800 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Keys Community College ranked #6 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, while out-of-state students pay about $13,162. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,236 in student loans. Marine Sciences graduates of Florida Keys Community College earn a median of $47,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,236 median debt.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #7 spot for marine sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $27,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Maine placed #8 among the best values for marine sciences. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the marine sciences program here. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $29,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
St Marys College Of Maryland placed #9 among the best values for marine sciences. St Marys College Of Maryland is a small public school located in the rural area of St. Mary's City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,298, with out-of-state students paying around $31,374. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,655 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from St Marys College Of Maryland generally make around $41,665. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. St Marys College Of Maryland admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of South Alabama ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. Located in the city of Mobile, University Of South Alabama is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,116, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Oregon State University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Marine Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans. Early-career marine sciences graduates make about $51,326. That is a strong return on a $24,041 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Western Washington University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value marine sciences schools. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Other Marine Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Marine Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All Marine Sciences 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 · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
