2026 Best Value Marine Biology Schools in Maine
[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 6 schools to find the best return on investment for marine biology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Marine Biology Schools in Maine
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the marine biology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Marine Biology Schools
Leading the list is Southern Maine Community College, our #1 best value for marine biology in Maine. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,869 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $41,328 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,869 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Unity College one of the best values for marine biology. Set in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $12,640 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,083 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of Unity College earn a median of $36,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of New England earned it the #3 place for marine biology. University Of New England is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Biddeford. Students from in state pay about $44,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of New England generally make around $29,871. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
More Marine Biology Rankings
View All Marine Biology Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
