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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Marine Biology Schools in the Far Western Region

10 Colleges in the United States
612 Marine Biology Degrees Awarded
$42,395 Avg Early-Career Salary

Marine Biology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their marine biology programs.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 21 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for marine biology students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Marine Biology in the Far Western Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall marine biology education in the Far Western Region.

Top Schools in Marine Biology

1

No school ranked higher than University Of Washington Seattle Campus this year for marine biology. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 54 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $88,607 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,672 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the top schools for marine biology. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 68 marine biology degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Marine Biology graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $35,436 early in their careers. California State University Long Beach graduates carry a median of $19,948 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for California State University Long Beach

3

Students looking for a strong marine biology program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 15 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $18,728 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $17,417 in student loans. More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of California Los Angeles

4

University Of California San Diego is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine biology, ranking #4. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California San Diego awarded about 159 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $40,677 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,834. See the full marine biology program report for University Of California San Diego

5

University Of California Santa Cruz is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of California Santa Cruz awarded about 92 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $25,810 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $18,887 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for University Of California Santa Cruz

6

University Of Oregon earned the #6 position for marine biology this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. About 36 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Oregon generally make around $44,628. Typical student debt for the program is $22,034. See the full marine biology program report for University Of Oregon

7

University Of Alaska Anchorage placed #7 among the best marine biology schools. University Of Alaska Anchorage is a large public school located in the city of Anchorage. The six-year graduation rate is 28%. There were roughly 11 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Alaska Anchorage in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of Alaska Anchorage earn around $59,053 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Alaska Anchorage graduates carry a median of $21,787 in student loans. More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of Alaska Anchorage

8

Western Washington University earned the #8 position for marine biology this year. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Western Washington University awarded about 19 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $33,323 in their early career. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $23,040 in student loans. Read more about the marine biology program at Western Washington University

9

University Of Alaska Southeast earned the #9 position for marine biology this year. University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Juneau. About 21% of students finish within six years. About 12 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Alaska Southeast in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of Alaska Southeast earn around $63,014 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Alaska Southeast graduates carry a median of $20,458 in student loans. Read more about the marine biology program at University Of Alaska Southeast

10

University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #10 position for marine biology this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Honolulu. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. About 74 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent year. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $25,820 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,458 to complete this degree. See the full marine biology program report for University Of Hawaii At Manoa

11

University Of Hawaii At Hilo earned the #11 position for marine biology this year. Set in the town of Hilo, University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. University Of Hawaii At Hilo awarded about 38 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Hilo generally make around $48,141. Typical student debt for the program is $23,500. Read more about the marine biology program at University Of Hawaii At Hilo

12

Hawaii Pacific University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Honolulu. The six-year graduation rate is 35%. Hawaii Pacific University awarded about 34 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $25,499 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full marine biology program report for Hawaii Pacific University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 21 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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