2026 Best Value Marine Biology Schools in Alabama
[Marine Biology](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/ecology-evolution-systematics-population-biology/marine-biology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for marine biology students.
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2026 Best Value Marine Biology Schools in Alabama
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marine biology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Marine Biology Schools
Leading the list is University Of West Alabama, our #1 best value for marine biology in Alabama. University Of West Alabama is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Livingston. Students from in state pay about $10,990 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,090. Typical student debt for marine biology graduates is $31,894. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of West Alabama generally make around $53,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Troy University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value marine biology schools. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Alabama earned it the #3 place for marine biology. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,172. Marine Biology graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. 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 University Of Alabama admits about 77% of applicants.
Auburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #4 spot this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete the marine biology program here. Marine Biology graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. Auburn University admits about 46% of applicants.
More Marine Biology Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
