Finding the Best Value Marine Science School for You
Where you study marine science affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Marine Science 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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2026 Best Value Marine Science Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marine science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Marine Science Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for marine science in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the marine science program here. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida Atlantic University earned it the #2 place for marine science. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the marine science program here. Early-career marine science graduates make about $49,340. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in marine science will find it at San Francisco State University, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $17,024. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in marine science will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the marine science program here. Early-career marine science graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in marine science will find it at College Of Micronesia Fsm, which ranked #5. Located in Pohnpei, FM, College Of Micronesia Fsm is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,050 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $24,651 ten years out. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis earned the #6 position for value in marine science this year. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the marine science program here. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
California State University Monterey Bay landed the #7 spot for marine science value this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $17,800. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from California State University Monterey Bay generally make around $27,268. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Monterey Bay admits about 97% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned the #8 position for value in marine science this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. 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 science program here. Marine Science graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $27,337 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Maine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value marine science schools. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the marine science program here. Early-career marine science graduates make about $29,243. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Stony Brook University placed #10 among the best values for marine science. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the marine science program here. Soon after graduation, marine science degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Western Washington University came in at #11 for value in marine science this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical student debt for marine science graduates is $20,361. Marine Science graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $41,118 early in their careers. Set against $20,361 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Hawaii Pacific University came in at #12 for value in marine science this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,392. Students borrow a median of $25,385 to complete the marine science program here. Marine Science 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. Hawaii Pacific University admits about 86% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
[Marine Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/marine-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
