2026 Best Value Marine Biology Master’s Degree Schools

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 best value for marine biology in the United States. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $16,672 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $150,114 early in their careers. Set against $16,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

2

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 #2. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $18,834 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $50,266 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,834 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.

3

Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #3 spot this year. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. In-state tuition and fees average $8,149, while out-of-state students pay about $9,242. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $24,513 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $43,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nicholls State University admits about 91% of applicants.

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

A rank of #4 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,417 to complete the marine biology program here. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $18,728. Set against $17,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the city of Mayaguez, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,274. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $8,630 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez earn a median of $32,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 56% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of West Alabama
Livingston, AL

University Of West Alabama placed #6 among the best values for marine biology. Set in the rural area of Livingston, University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $31,894 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $53,270. Set against $31,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.

7

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $20,500. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $33,296. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

8

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.

9

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University placed #9 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $50,334 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Coastal Carolina University admits about 75% of applicants.

10

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. 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. Marine Biology graduates of Troy University earn a median of $46,723 early in their careers. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

11

Unity College
New Gloucester, ME

Unity College earned the #11 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,640. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $27,083. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Unity College generally make around $36,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #12 position for value in marine biology this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $20,389 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $25,303. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

13

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station placed #13 among the best values for marine biology. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $23,461 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $52,933. Set against $23,461 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

14

College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston came in at #14 for value in marine biology this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, compared with $38,296 for out-of-state students. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $40,222 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

15

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut earned the #15 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,798 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $32,882 early in their careers. Set against $26,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.

16

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $27,000. Marine Biology graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $39,491 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

17

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Students borrow a median of $18,896 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $55,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

18

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #18 among the best values for marine biology. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $70,479. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Maryland Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Maryland Baltimore placed #19 among the best values for marine biology. University Of Maryland Baltimore is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,638, while out-of-state students pay about $44,811. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore earn a median of $85,300 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University came in at #20 for value in marine biology this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,700. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $23,549 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $47,731. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.

21

Northeastern University
Boston, MA

Northeastern University came in at #21 for value in marine biology this year. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $25,611. Marine Biology graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $39,255 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,611 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

22

Florida Institute Of Technology
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute Of Technology came in at #22 for value in marine biology this year. Set in the city of Melbourne, Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $32,114 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of Florida Institute Of Technology earn a median of $69,878 early in their careers. Set against $32,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami placed #23 among the best values for marine biology. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $16,500 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $43,405. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 19%.

24

Sacred Heart University
Fairfield, CT

Sacred Heart University landed the #24 spot for marine biology value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,404. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.