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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Marine Biology Master’s Degree Schools

13 Colleges in the United States
381 Marine Biology Degrees Awarded
$47,888 Avg Early-Career Salary

Marine Biology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 96 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 United States

Below are the best marine biology schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.

Top Schools in Marine Biology

1

University Of Washington Seattle Campus tops our 2026 ranking of the best marine biology schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 54 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $150,114. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,672 in student loans. More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

2

Students looking for a strong marine biology program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 15 marine biology degrees 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. More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of California Los Angeles

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Delaware one of the top schools for marine biology. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. About 82% of students finish within six years. University Of Delaware awarded about 17 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $33,296 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of Delaware

4
Boston University crest
Boston University
Boston, MA

Students looking for a strong marine biology program will find one at Boston University, which ranked #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Boston. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. About 25 marine biology degrees were awarded at Boston University in the most recent year. Marine Biology graduates of Boston University earn a median of $70,479 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in marine biology from Boston University

5

Northeastern University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. Set in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. About 29 marine biology degrees were awarded at Northeastern University in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from Northeastern University earn around $39,255 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,611. More information about a degree in marine biology from Northeastern University

6

University Of California San Diego earned the #6 position for marine biology this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 53 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $50,266 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,834. Get the full marine biology details for University Of California San Diego

7

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. 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. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Get the full marine biology details for Rutgers University New Brunswick

8

University Of Connecticut earned the #8 position for marine biology this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $32,882. Students borrow a median of $26,798 to complete this degree. Read more about the marine biology program at University Of Connecticut

9
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #9 for marine biology this year. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 62 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $43,405. Typical student debt for the program is $16,500. Get the full marine biology details for University Of Miami

10

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #10 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. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 16 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $25,303 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,389. Get the full marine biology details for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

11
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 18 marine biology degrees were awarded at College Of Charleston in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $40,222. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Get the full marine biology details for College Of Charleston

12
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University landed the #12 spot for marine biology this year. Nova Southeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Fort Lauderdale. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 33 marine biology degrees were awarded at Nova Southeastern University in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $47,731 in their early career. Nova Southeastern University graduates carry a median of $23,549 in student loans. More information about a degree in marine biology from Nova Southeastern University

13

Nicholls State University placed #13 among the best marine biology schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Thibodaux. Nicholls State University graduates 54% of students within six years. Nicholls State University awarded about 11 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Nicholls State University generally make around $43,888. Typical student debt for the program is $24,513. Read more about the marine biology program at Nicholls State University

14

University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez came in at #14 for marine biology this year. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a large public school located in the city of Mayaguez. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. About 15 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $32,922 in their early career. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez graduates carry a median of $8,630 in student loans. More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez

15

Coastal Carolina University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. Coastal Carolina University is a large public school located in the city of Conway. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Coastal Carolina University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Coastal Carolina University generally make around $50,334. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. See the full marine biology program report for Coastal Carolina University

Other Marine Biology Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Marine Biology rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Marine Biology
Associate's Degrees in Marine Biology
Bachelor's Degrees in Marine Biology
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View All Marine Biology 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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