2026 Best Value Marine Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Marine Science doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 41 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Marine Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found The University Of Texas At Austin to be the best-value Marine Science school in the United States. Based in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The University Of Texas At Austin Marine Science students take on a median of $21,275 in debt. Median earnings reach $75,121 ten years out. Set against $21,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%. See the full The University Of Texas At Austin profile
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi came in at #2 on this year's best-value Marine Science ranking in the United States. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a public school based in Corpus Christi, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, compared with $20,794 for out-of-state students. The median Marine Science program debt is $25,508. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $51,865. That is a strong return on a $25,508 median debt. Texas A And M University Corpus Christi has an acceptance rate of 89%. More on Texas A And M University Corpus Christi
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stony Brook University earned it the #3 place 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University has an acceptance rate of 49%. Read more about Stony Brook University
You'll get strong value at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Boston, MA, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete their Marine Science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $65,865 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Massachusetts Boston profile
Out of the 41 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Maine landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Orono, ME. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical Marine Science student debt is $27,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $48,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants. More on University Of Maine
University Of Southern California offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. See the full University Of Southern California profile
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #7 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Get the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo report
Juniata College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Juniata College
University Of Alaska Anchorage came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Alaska Anchorage report
Nova Southeastern University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. More on Nova Southeastern University
College Of The Marshall Islands came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Get the full College Of The Marshall Islands report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #12 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Oregon State University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Oregon State University report
St Marys College Of Maryland placed #14 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. See the full St Marys College Of Maryland profile
Western Washington University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Western Washington University
Florida Keys Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Read more about Florida Keys Community College
Rowan University
Rowan University landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Rowan University profile
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #18 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. See the full University Of North Carolina At Wilmington profile
Texas A And M University College Station placed #19 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of Rhode Island ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
San Francisco State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. Read the full report on San Francisco State University
University Of Alaska Fairbanks landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of California Davis landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of California Davis
California State University Monterey Bay landed the #25 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about California State University Monterey Bay
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Marine Science Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Florida Atlantic University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. See the full Florida Atlantic University profile
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Massachusetts Lowell profile
The University Of Texas Pan American ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. See the full The University Of Texas Pan American profile
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #29 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth report
Cape Fear Community College placed #30 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Read more about Cape Fear Community College
California State University Stanislaus offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. More on California State University Stanislaus
Hawaii Pacific University came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. More on Hawaii Pacific University
University Of Florida came in at #33 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Florida report
University Of Georgia offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. More on University Of Georgia
Eckerd College
Eckerd College offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. More on Eckerd College
San Jose State University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. See the full San Jose State University profile
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. Read the full report on Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Maine Maritime Academy landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Maine Maritime Academy
University Of South Alabama placed #39 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of South Alabama
American Samoa Community College placed #40 among the best-value Marine Science schools in the United States. Read more about American Samoa Community College
College Of Micronesia Fsm ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value Marine Science schools. Read the full report on College Of Micronesia Fsm
Related Marine Science Value Rankings
See value rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Value Marine Science Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Marine Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Marine Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Marine Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Marine Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Marine Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Marine Science Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 · 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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