2026 Best Value Fishing Fisheries Sciences Schools
Looking for the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 29 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect 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 build 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 Fishing Fisheries Sciences Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
For return on investment, no school beat University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point this year in the United States. Located in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,399 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,021. Set against $21,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 92% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point profile
A rank of #2 makes Lake Superior State University one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Sault Ste Marie, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,890. Graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Median earnings reach $49,045 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Get the full Lake Superior State University report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hocking College earned it the #3 place in the United States. Located in Nelsonville, OH, Hocking College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Typical Fishing Fisheries Sciences student debt is $16,535. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Hocking College
A rank of #4 makes Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University one of the best values in the United States. Based in Blacksburg, VA, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. The median Fishing Fisheries Sciences program debt is $23,393. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $81,698. Set against $23,393 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted. More on Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
A rank of #5 makes University Of Florida one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. University Of Florida Fishing Fisheries Sciences students take on a median of $17,669 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,588 ten years after entry. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida has an acceptance rate of 24%. More on University Of Florida
Humboldt State University placed #6 among the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Arcata, CA, Humboldt State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Typical Fishing Fisheries Sciences student debt is $19,129. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,626. That is a strong return on a $19,129 median debt. Humboldt State University has an acceptance rate of 98%. See the full Humboldt State University profile
Iowa State University offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Typical Fishing Fisheries Sciences student debt is $23,495. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Iowa State University report
Texas A And M University College Station placed #8 among the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences schools in the United States. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,114 to complete their Fishing Fisheries Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $72,097 ten years out. Set against $24,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Oregon State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences schools. Located in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $33,518 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,010. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%. Read more about Oregon State University
Northern Michigan University came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Marquette, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical Fishing Fisheries Sciences student debt is $26,875. Median earnings reach $47,107 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Northern Michigan University
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences schools. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. The median Fishing Fisheries Sciences program debt is $20,500. Purdue University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $72,424 a decade after entry. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 50% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
University Of New England ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Biddeford, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $44,210. University Of New England Fishing Fisheries Sciences students take on a median of $26,838 in debt. University Of New England alumni report median earnings of $55,921 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,838 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%. Read the full report on University Of New England
University Of Idaho landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Moscow, ID, University Of Idaho is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,084 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Typical Fishing Fisheries Sciences student debt is $23,844. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,670. Set against $23,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%. Read the full report on University Of Idaho
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences schools. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public school based in Minneapolis, MN. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Fishing Fisheries Sciences students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $69,020. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities admits about 80% of applicants. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science placed #15 among the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Paul Smiths, NY, Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,009. Typical Fishing Fisheries Sciences student debt is $25,443. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,145 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,443 median debt. Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science has an acceptance rate of 76%. See the full Paul Smiths College Of Arts And Science profile
University Of Rhode Island landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete their Fishing Fisheries Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $69,743 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Rhode Island profile
Juniata College landed the #17 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Huntingdon, PA, Juniata College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $58,580. Graduates carry a median of $26,976 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,918 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,976 median debt. Juniata College has an acceptance rate of 79%. Read the full report on Juniata College
University Of Maryland Eastern Shore landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Maryland Eastern Shore
Grand Valley State University came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Grand Valley State University report
Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. More on Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill
Mt Hood Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences schools. See the full Mt Hood Community College profile
Eastern Michigan University placed #22 among the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences schools in the United States. See the full Eastern Michigan University profile
Bellingham Technical College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Get the full Bellingham Technical College report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Boise State University came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Boise State University
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Fishing Fisheries Sciences Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Coastal Pines Technical College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences schools. Read the full report on Coastal Pines Technical College
Delaware State University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read more about Delaware State University
University Of Rio Grande came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. See the full University Of Rio Grande profile
University Of Alaska Southeast placed #29 among the best-value Fishing Fisheries Sciences schools in the United States. More on University Of Alaska Southeast
Best Value Fishing Fisheries Sciences Schools by Degree Level
Explore value rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Value Fishing Fisheries Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Fishing Fisheries Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Fishing Fisheries Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Fishing Fisheries Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Fishing Fisheries Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Fishing Fisheries Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Fishing Fisheries Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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 29 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).