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2026 Best Value Marine Biology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

5 Colleges in the United States
$22,757 Avg Student Debt
$67,136 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Marine Biology Badge [Marine Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/marine-biology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 13 schools to find the best return on investment for marine biology students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Marine Biology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marine biology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Marine Biology Schools

1

Our analysis ranked East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania the best value for a degree in marine biology in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, while out-of-state students pay about $19,202. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $18,783 in student loans. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $35,762. Set against $18,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

2

Students looking for strong value in marine biology will find it at University Of Delaware, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $33,296 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

3
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Students looking for strong value in marine biology will find it at Stony Brook University, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $22,725. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned it the #4 place for marine biology. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $29,289 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

5

Rutgers University New Brunswick is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $39,491. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.

View All Marine Biology Rankings >

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 · 13 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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