2026 Best Value Marine Biology Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among marine biology schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $52,885. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

2

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

3

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

Students looking for strong value in marine biology will find it at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #3. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $20,731. Marine Biology graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $25,299 early in their careers. Set against $20,731 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

A rank of #4 makes University Of Georgia one of the best values for marine biology. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $15,977. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $25,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.

5

Nicholls State University
Thibodaux, LA

Nicholls State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Thibodaux, Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,149 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,242. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $24,513 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $43,888. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

6

Savannah State University
Savannah, GA

Savannah State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,750, while out-of-state students pay about $19,043. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $31,576. Marine Biology graduates of Savannah State University earn a median of $34,489 early in their careers. Set against $31,576 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC

Coastal Carolina University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,640, while out-of-state students pay about $29,628. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,586 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

8

University Of West Alabama
Livingston, AL

University Of West Alabama landed the #8 spot for marine biology value this year. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,990, compared with $20,090 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $31,894. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $53,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

9

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. 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. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $20,389. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington generally make around $25,303. Set against $20,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

10

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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.

11

Troy University
Troy, AL

Troy University landed the #11 spot for marine biology value this year. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $26,439. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $46,723. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

12

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary came in at #12 for value in marine biology this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, with out-of-state students paying around $51,038. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Marine Biology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,935 median debt. College Of William And Mary admits about 34% of applicants.

13

College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

14

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama landed the #14 spot for marine biology value this year. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,180, compared with $34,172 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $24,496. Marine Biology graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $17,511 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

15

Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,922. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $22,803. Marine Biology graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

16

University Of South Carolina Columbia
Columbia, SC

University Of South Carolina Columbia placed #16 among the best values for marine biology. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Students from in state pay about $12,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Students borrow a median of $18,896 to complete the marine biology program here. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $40,525. Set against $18,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

17

Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University came in at #17 for value in marine biology this year. Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jacksonville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,150. Students borrow a median of $25,619 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $72,608 early in their careers. Set against $25,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Jacksonville University admits about 57% of applicants.

18

Florida Southern College
Lakeland, FL

Florida Southern College placed #18 among the best values for marine biology. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,040. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the marine biology program here. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Florida Southern College generally make around $26,616. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

19

Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,700. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $23,549. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $39,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Nova Southeastern University admits about 73% of applicants.

20

Eckerd College
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Eckerd College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Petersburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,884. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Eckerd College generally make around $21,980. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.

21

Florida Institute Of Technology
Melbourne, FL

Florida Institute Of Technology came in at #21 for value in marine biology this year. Florida Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Melbourne. Students from in state pay about $45,900 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $32,114. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $69,878. That is a strong return on a $32,114 median debt. Florida Institute Of Technology admits about 58% of applicants.

22

The University Of Tampa
Tampa, FL

The University Of Tampa earned the #22 position for value in marine biology this year. Located in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,408. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $26,705. Marine Biology graduates of The University Of Tampa earn a median of $29,603 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

23

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #23 for value in marine biology this year. 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. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $16,500. Early-career marine biology graduates make about $33,455. That is a strong return on a $16,500 median debt. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.