2026 Best Value Marine Biology Schools

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #1 spot for value among marine biology schools in the United States. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $19,948. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $35,436. That is a strong return on a $19,948 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.

2

University Of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK

A rank of #2 makes University Of Alaska Southeast one of the best values for marine biology. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,936, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $20,458 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Alaska Southeast generally make around $63,014. Set against $20,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.

3

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

Students looking for strong value in marine biology will find it at The University Of Texas Pan American, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, with out-of-state students paying around $19,645. Students borrow a median of $14,694 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $46,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas Pan American admits about 94% of applicants.

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $18,834 to complete the marine biology program here. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $40,677. Set against $18,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

5

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

6

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University landed the #6 spot for marine biology value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #7 position for value in marine biology this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,672 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $88,607 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

8

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida earned the #8 position for value in marine biology this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $20,731 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $25,299 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #9 spot for marine biology value this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $29,258. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.

10

Southern Maine Community College
South Portland, ME

Southern Maine Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $13,869 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $41,328. That is a strong return on a $13,869 median debt.

11

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia landed the #11 spot for marine biology value this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $15,977 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,724. Set against $15,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.

12

University Of Alaska Anchorage
Anchorage, AK

University Of Alaska Anchorage landed the #12 spot for marine biology value this year. Set in the city of Anchorage, University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,738, with out-of-state students paying around $21,322. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $59,053. Set against $21,787 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,242. Students borrow a median of $24,513 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of Nicholls State University earn a median of $43,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,513 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles placed #14 among the best values for marine biology. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $17,417. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $18,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

15

Savannah State University
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University placed #15 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,750 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,043. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $31,576. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #16 position for value in marine biology this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $25,458. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $25,820. That is a strong return on a $25,458 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

17

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon placed #17 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,780. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $10,051 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earn a median of $22,810 early in their careers. Set against $10,051 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez came in at #18 for value in marine biology this year. Set in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,274. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $8,630 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez generally make around $32,922. Set against $8,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%.

19

University Of Hawaii At Hilo
Hilo, HI

University Of Hawaii At Hilo ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,838, with out-of-state students paying around $20,798. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Hawaii At Hilo earn a median of $48,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

20

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $38,586. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.

21

University Of Puerto Rico Humacao
Humacao, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Humacao ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the suburb of Humacao, University Of Puerto Rico Humacao is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $5,500. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $15,255. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Humacao admits about 55% of applicants.

22

University Of West Alabama
Livingston, AL

University Of West Alabama came in at #22 for value in marine biology this year. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,090. Students borrow a median of $31,894 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of West Alabama earn a median of $53,270 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,894 median debt. University Of West Alabama admits about 43% of applicants.

23

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #23 for value in marine biology this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $33,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.

24

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University landed the #24 spot for marine biology value this year. Located in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $46,723. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.

25

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #25 for value in marine biology this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.