2026 Best Value Marine Biology Bachelor’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $19,948. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $35,436. Set against $19,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK

University Of Alaska Southeast came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,936, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $20,458. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Alaska Southeast generally make around $63,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

3

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #3 spot this year. The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public school located in the city of Edinburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,799, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $14,694. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from The University Of Texas Pan American generally make around $46,404. That is a strong return on a $14,694 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

4

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

Students looking for strong value in marine biology will find it at University Of California San Diego, which ranked #4. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $18,834. Marine Biology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $31,088 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

A rank of #5 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for marine biology. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.

6

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $19,349. Marine Biology graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. The acceptance rate is 55%.

7

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

The University Of West Florida placed #7 among the best values for marine biology. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $20,731 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $25,299. Set against $20,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

8

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $16,672. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $27,100 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

9

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

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

10

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $15,977 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $25,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,977 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

11

Savannah State University
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $31,576. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $34,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #12 spot for marine biology value this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $25,458 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,820. Set against $25,458 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 9%.

14

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon
Bayamon, PR

Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon earned the #14 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Bayamon is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $5,780 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,051 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $22,810. That is a strong return on a $10,051 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

15

University Of Hawaii At Hilo
Hilo, HI

University Of Hawaii At Hilo placed #15 among the best values for marine biology. University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,838, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. Students borrow a median of $23,500 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $48,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

16

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University earned the #16 position for value in marine biology this year. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $26,000. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $26,838. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Puerto Rico Humacao
Humacao, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Humacao came in at #17 for value in marine biology this year. University Of Puerto Rico Humacao is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Humacao. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Humacao generally make around $15,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $20,500. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $33,296. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

19

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg, PA

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in marine biology this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,236, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $18,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $35,762. Set against $18,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.

20

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,887 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,810. That is a strong return on a $18,887 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

21

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #21 spot for marine biology value this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

22

Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $23,585. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

23

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University landed the #23 spot for marine biology value this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $20,500. Marine Biology graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $22,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.

24

Unity College
New Gloucester, ME

Unity College came in at #24 for value in marine biology this year. Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,640. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $27,083. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $36,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University placed #25 among the best values for marine biology. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $23,040. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $33,323. That is a strong return on a $23,040 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.