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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Marine Biology Schools

46 Colleges in the United States
2,185 Marine Biology Degrees Awarded
$39,237 Avg Early-Career Salary

Marine Biology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 96 schools to find the best for marine biology students.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Marine Biology School

Best Marine Biology Schools

The school you choose for marine biology can shape your career. To help, we created our Best Marine Biology Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Marine Biology Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Marine Biology
Bachelor's Degrees in Marine Biology
Master's Degrees in Marine Biology
Doctoral Degrees in Marine Biology

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Marine Biology Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

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Best Schools for Marine Biology in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall marine biology education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Marine Biology

1

Leading the list is University Of Washington Seattle Campus, our #1 school for marine biology. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 54 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $88,607. Students borrow a median of $16,672 to complete this degree. Read more about the marine biology program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

College Of William And Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. Read more about the marine biology program at College Of William And Mary

3

Students looking for a strong marine biology program will find one at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 68 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $35,436 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,948 to complete this degree. Read more about the marine biology program at California State University Long Beach

4

Students looking for a strong marine biology program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $18,728 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,417. Read more about the marine biology program at University Of California Los Angeles

5

University Of California San Diego is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 159 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of California San Diego in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $40,677. Typical student debt for the program is $18,834. Get the full marine biology details for University Of California San Diego

6

University Of Delaware came in at #6 for marine biology this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Delaware awarded about 40 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of Delaware earn around $33,296 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full marine biology program report for University Of Delaware

7
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 marine biology degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $70,479. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in marine biology from Boston University

8

Northeastern University placed #8 among the best marine biology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 42 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Northeastern University in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $39,255 early in their careers. Northeastern University graduates carry a median of $25,611 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for Northeastern University

9
Jacksonville University crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University landed the #9 spot for marine biology this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Jacksonville University graduates 51% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Jacksonville University in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of Jacksonville University earn a median of $72,608 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,619. Read more about the marine biology program at Jacksonville University

10
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University landed the #10 spot for marine biology this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Auburn University in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,803. Read more about the marine biology program at Auburn University

11
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University earned the #11 position for marine biology this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stony Brook University awarded about 52 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from Stony Brook University earn around $22,725 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in marine biology from Stony Brook University

12

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #12 spot for marine biology this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 92 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $25,810 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $18,887 to complete this degree. Get the full marine biology details for University Of California Santa Cruz

13

University Of Rhode Island placed #13 among the best marine biology schools. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. About 43 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $26,176 in their early career. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $20,635 in student loans. Get the full marine biology details for University Of Rhode Island

14

Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #14 among the best marine biology schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 13 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $39,491 in their early career. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Get the full marine biology details for Rutgers University New Brunswick

15

University Of Oregon came in at #15 for marine biology this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. University Of Oregon graduates 72% of students within six years. University Of Oregon awarded about 36 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $44,628. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of Oregon

16

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #16 for marine biology this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 87 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $40,352. Students borrow a median of $23,461 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in marine biology from Texas A And M University College Station

17

University Of Connecticut placed #17 among the best marine biology schools. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. About 10 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $32,882 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,798. More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of Connecticut

18

University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #18 spot for marine biology this year. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. About 77% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 57 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $52,885. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus

19

University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #19 spot for marine biology this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public institution. About 79% of students finish within six years. About 42 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of South Carolina Columbia earn around $40,525 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Carolina Columbia graduates carry a median of $18,896 in student loans. Read more about the marine biology program at University Of South Carolina Columbia

20

University Of Alaska Anchorage earned the #20 position for marine biology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Anchorage. About 28% of students finish within six years. About 11 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Alaska Anchorage in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Alaska Anchorage generally make around $59,053. Typical student debt for the program is $21,787. Get the full marine biology details for University Of Alaska Anchorage

21
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami landed the #21 spot for marine biology this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. University Of Miami graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 124 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of Miami earn around $33,455 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500. Get the full marine biology details for University Of Miami

22

Western Washington University landed the #22 spot for marine biology this year. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. Western Washington University awarded about 19 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $33,323. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $23,040 in student loans. More information about a degree in marine biology from Western Washington University

23

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #23 spot for marine biology this year. Located in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 43%. There were roughly 10 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $35,762 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,783. More information about a degree in marine biology from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania

24

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #24 among the best marine biology schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 107 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $25,303 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,389. Get the full marine biology details for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

25

Florida International University earned the #25 position for marine biology this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. About 40 marine biology degrees were awarded at Florida International University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete this degree. Read more about the marine biology program at Florida International University

Rest of the Top 50 Marine Biology Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s marine biology ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL
32
33
34
35
36
37
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC
38
Unity College crest
Unity College
New Gloucester, ME
39
40
41
42
43
44
Eckerd College crest
Eckerd College
Saint Petersburg, FL
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Marine Biology by Region

Explore the best marine biology schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Marine Biology is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 96 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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