2026 Best Value Marine Science Schools

#1

California State University Monterey Bay

Seaside, CA

California State University Monterey Bay tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Marine Science programs schools in the United States. This public school is set in Seaside, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $7,779, compared with $20,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Monterey Bay has an acceptance rate of 97%. See the full California State University Monterey Bay profile

#2

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA

Out of the 41 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, San Jose State University landed the #2 spot. Set in San Jose, CA, San Jose State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, with out-of-state students paying around $21,010. Graduates go on to earn a median of $78,988 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 85%. More on San Jose State University

#3

The University Of Texas Pan American

Edinburg, TX

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas Pan American earned it the #3 place in the United States. The University Of Texas Pan American is a public school based in Edinburg, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical Marine Science student debt is $14,694. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,620 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%. See the full The University Of Texas Pan American profile

#4

Texas A And M University Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, TX

You'll get strong value at Texas A And M University Corpus Christi, which ranked #4 this year. Located in Corpus Christi, TX, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,794. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi Marine Science students take on a median of $25,508 in debt. Median earnings reach $51,865 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. See the full Texas A And M University Corpus Christi profile

#5

The University Of Texas At Austin

Austin, TX

Out of the 41 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Austin, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,275 to complete their Marine Science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $75,121 ten years after entry. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At Austin admits about 27% of applicants. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report

#6

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,230. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Marine Science students take on a median of $19,273 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $90,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants. Read the full report on California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

#6

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #6 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Located in Stony Brook, NY, Stony Brook University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical Marine Science student debt is $20,537. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,502. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. Stony Brook University has an acceptance rate of 49%. Get the full Stony Brook University report

#8

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Based in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Florida Atlantic University Marine Science students take on a median of $20,212 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,746 ten years after entry. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants. See the full Florida Atlantic University profile

#9

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Set in Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nova Southeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,700. The median Marine Science program debt is $25,021. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,209. That is a strong return on a $25,021 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Nova Southeastern University report

#10

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #10 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Located in San Francisco, CA, San Francisco State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. The median Marine Science program debt is $17,024. Median earnings reach $68,077 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,024 median debt. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants. See the full San Francisco State University profile

#11

Texas A And M University College Station

College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. This public school is set in College Station, TX. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Texas A And M University College Station Marine Science students take on a median of $20,031 in debt. Median earnings reach $72,097 ten years out. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile

#12

University Of Florida

Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. The median Marine Science program debt is $17,669. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%. See the full University Of Florida profile

#13

University Of Massachusetts Boston

Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #13 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Located in Boston, MA, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. Graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $65,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Boston report

#14

University Of California Davis

Davis, CA

University Of California Davis ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. University Of California Davis is a public school based in Davis, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. The median Marine Science program debt is $14,404. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,838 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of California Davis profile

#15

Hawaii Pacific University

Honolulu, HI

Hawaii Pacific University offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Located in Honolulu, HI, Hawaii Pacific University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,392. Students borrow a median of $25,385 to complete their Marine Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,593. Set against $25,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hawaii Pacific University has an acceptance rate of 86%. See the full Hawaii Pacific University profile

#16

University Of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #16 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Located in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. The median Marine Science program debt is $25,234. University Of Massachusetts Amherst alumni report median earnings of $71,631 a decade after entry. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile

#17

University Of Maine

Orono, ME

University Of Maine placed #17 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Based in Orono, ME, University Of Maine is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete their Marine Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,653. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Maine has an acceptance rate of 97%. Get the full University Of Maine report

#18

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #18 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth report

#19

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of North Carolina At Wilmington report

#20

University Of Georgia

University Of Georgia landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Georgia

#21

College Of Micronesia Fsm

College Of Micronesia Fsm landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about College Of Micronesia Fsm

#22

American Samoa Community College

American Samoa Community College placed #22 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Get the full American Samoa Community College report

#23

Maine Maritime Academy

Maine Maritime Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. More on Maine Maritime Academy

#24

University Of Massachusetts Lowell

University Of Massachusetts Lowell offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. More on University Of Massachusetts Lowell

#25

Western Washington University

Western Washington University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Western Washington University report

#26

Eckerd College

Eckerd College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on Eckerd College

#27

University Of South Alabama

University Of South Alabama offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read more about University Of South Alabama

#28

California State University Stanislaus

California State University Stanislaus came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. See the full California State University Stanislaus profile

#29

St Marys College Of Maryland

St Marys College Of Maryland came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Get the full St Marys College Of Maryland report

#30

Rowan University

Rowan University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Rowan University

#31

College Of The Marshall Islands

College Of The Marshall Islands offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. See the full College Of The Marshall Islands profile

#32

Oregon State University

Oregon State University placed #32 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Get the full Oregon State University report

#33

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus profile

#34

University Of Alaska Fairbanks

University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. Read more about University Of Alaska Fairbanks

#35

Ohio State University Main Campus

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #35 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Ohio State University Main Campus

#36

Cape Fear Community College

Cape Fear Community College ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. Read more about Cape Fear Community College

#37

University Of Rhode Island

University Of Rhode Island ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. See the full University Of Rhode Island profile

#38

University Of Southern California

University Of Southern California landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Southern California

#39

University Of Alaska Anchorage

University Of Alaska Anchorage offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full University Of Alaska Anchorage report

#40

Florida Keys Community College

Florida Keys Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read more about Florida Keys Community College

#41

Juniata College

Juniata College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Juniata College