2026 Best Marine Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Marine Science bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 41 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Marine Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found California State University Monterey Bay to be the best Marine Science school in the United States. Located in Seaside, CA, California State University Monterey Bay is a public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,779, with out-of-state students paying around $20,379. Graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. Read the full report on California State University Monterey Bay
The strong Marine Science programs at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earned it the #2 place in the United States. Located in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. The median Marine Science program debt is $19,273. Get the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo report
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #3 on this year's Marine Science ranking in the United States. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station posts a six-year graduation rate of 84%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,031 to complete their Marine Science program here. More on Texas A And M University College Station
A rank of #4 makes University Of California Davis one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Davis, CA, University Of California Davis is a public institution. University Of California Davis posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical Marine Science student debt is $14,404. See the full University Of California Davis profile
You'll be in good company at University Of Florida, which ranked #5 this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Marine Science student debt is $17,669. Read the full report on University Of Florida
University Of Maine placed #6 among Marine Science schools in the United States. Set in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. University Of Maine posts a six-year graduation rate of 55%. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. University Of Maine Marine Science students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Get the full University Of Maine report
University Of Alaska Anchorage landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Alaska Anchorage report
Juniata College came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Juniata College
University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #9 among Marine Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Florida Atlantic University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Read more about Florida Atlantic University
Cape Fear Community College came in at #11 in this year's ranking. See the full Cape Fear Community College profile
Western Washington University landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. See the full Western Washington University profile
College Of The Marshall Islands landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. More on College Of The Marshall Islands
Stony Brook University landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Read the full report on Stony Brook University
Hawaii Pacific University did well this year, earning the #15 position. More on Hawaii Pacific University
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #16 in this year's ranking. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #17 spot in the United States this year. More on University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
University Of Rhode Island did well this year, earning the #18 position. Read more about University Of Rhode Island
University Of Massachusetts Boston ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Science schools. More on University Of Massachusetts Boston
Oregon State University did well this year, earning the #20 position. More on Oregon State University
San Francisco State University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on San Francisco State University
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
Eckerd College
Eckerd College came in at #23 in this year's ranking. Read more about Eckerd College
California State University Stanislaus did well this year, earning the #24 position. Read more about California State University Stanislaus
University Of Southern California ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Science schools. More on University Of Southern California
Rest of the Top 15% Best Marine Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #26 among Marine Science schools in the United States. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Science schools. See the full University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth profile
Maine Maritime Academy came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Maine Maritime Academy
University Of Georgia ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Science schools. See the full University Of Georgia profile
Nova Southeastern University placed #30 among Marine Science schools in the United States. See the full Nova Southeastern University profile
University Of South Alabama came in at #31 in this year's ranking. Read more about University Of South Alabama
University Of Massachusetts Lowell did well this year, earning the #32 position. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Lowell report
American Samoa Community College landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. See the full American Samoa Community College profile
Rowan University
Rowan University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Science schools. Read more about Rowan University
San Jose State University placed #35 among Marine Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on San Jose State University
The University Of Texas Pan American did well this year, earning the #36 position. Read more about The University Of Texas Pan American
Florida Keys Community College placed #37 among Marine Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Florida Keys Community College
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Science schools. See the full Texas A And M University Corpus Christi profile
St Marys College Of Maryland did well this year, earning the #40 position. More on St Marys College Of Maryland
College Of Micronesia Fsm ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Science schools. Read the full report on College Of Micronesia Fsm
Related Marine Science Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Marine Science Schools (All Levels)
- Best Marine Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Marine Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Marine Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Marine Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Marine Science Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Marine Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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