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

19 Colleges in the United States
1,000 Marine Biology Degrees Awarded
$41,294 Avg Early-Career Salary

Marine Biology degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 33 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best marine biology schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Marine Biology in the Southeast Region

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

Top Schools in Marine Biology

1

College Of William And Mary is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in marine biology. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. About 19 marine biology degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Marine Biology graduates of College Of William And Mary earn a median of $53,338 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete this degree. Get the full marine biology details for College Of William And Mary

2
Jacksonville University crest
Jacksonville University
Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Jacksonville University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 51% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 23 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Jacksonville University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Jacksonville University generally make around $72,608. Jacksonville University graduates carry a median of $25,619 in student loans. Read more about the marine biology program at Jacksonville University

3
Auburn University crest
Auburn University
Auburn, AL

Auburn University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Auburn. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 marine biology degrees were awarded at Auburn University in the most recent year. Marine Biology graduates of Auburn University earn a median of $55,422 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,803 to complete this degree. See the full marine biology program report for Auburn University

4

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine biology, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students 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. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of South Florida Main Campus earn around $52,885 in the first couple years of their career. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. More information about a degree in marine biology from University Of South Florida Main Campus

5

University Of South Carolina Columbia is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine biology, ranking #5. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. The six-year graduation rate is 79%. There were roughly 42 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Carolina Columbia in the most recent data 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. See the full marine biology program report for University Of South Carolina Columbia

6
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. Set in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Marine Biology graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $33,455 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,500 to complete this degree. See the full marine biology program report for University Of Miami

7

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. About 71% of students finish within six years. About 107 marine biology degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $25,303 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,389 to complete this degree. Get the full marine biology details for University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

8

Florida International University placed #8 among the best marine biology schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. Florida International University graduates 74% of students within six years. Florida International University awarded about 40 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $52,517 in their early career. Florida International University graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. See the full marine biology program report for Florida International University

9

The University Of Tampa ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. Located in the city of Tampa, The University Of Tampa is a large private not-for-profit university. The University Of Tampa graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 58 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Tampa in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from The University Of Tampa earn around $29,603 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,705 to complete this degree. Get the full marine biology details for The University Of Tampa

10

The University Of Alabama landed the #10 spot for marine biology this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. The University Of Alabama awarded about 14 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $17,511. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete this degree. See the full marine biology program report for The University Of Alabama

11
Nova Southeastern University crest
Nova Southeastern University
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nova Southeastern University landed the #11 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. Nova Southeastern University graduates 63% of students within six years. Nova Southeastern University awarded about 72 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine biology degree from Nova Southeastern University earn around $39,423 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,549. Read more about the marine biology program at Nova Southeastern University

12

University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #12 spot for marine biology this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. University Of Southern Mississippi graduates 49% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Mississippi in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $52,338 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete this degree. Get the full marine biology details for University Of Southern Mississippi

13
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston landed the #13 spot for marine biology this year. This large public university is located in the city of Charleston. About 66% of students finish within six years. College Of Charleston awarded about 58 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $40,222 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. See the full marine biology program report for College Of Charleston

14

Florida Southern College placed #14 among the best marine biology schools. Set in the city of Lakeland, Florida Southern College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Florida Southern College awarded about 23 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $26,616 in their early career. Florida Southern College graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Get the full marine biology details for Florida Southern College

15

The University Of West Florida landed the #15 spot for marine biology this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Pensacola. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of West Florida awarded about 31 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Biology graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $25,299 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,731 to complete this degree. See the full marine biology program report for The University Of West Florida

16

Nicholls State University earned the #16 position for marine biology this year. Nicholls State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Thibodaux. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 11 marine biology students who graduated with this degree at Nicholls State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $43,888 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,513 to complete this degree. Read more about the marine biology program at Nicholls State University

17

Coastal Carolina University landed the #17 spot for marine biology this year. Located in the city of Conway, Coastal Carolina University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 48%. About 154 marine biology degrees were awarded at Coastal Carolina University in the most recent year. Marine Biology graduates of Coastal Carolina University earn a median of $38,586 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in marine biology from Coastal Carolina University

18
Eckerd College crest
Eckerd College
Saint Petersburg, FL

Eckerd College came in at #18 for marine biology this year. Located in the city of Saint Petersburg, Eckerd College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 66% of students finish within six years. Eckerd College awarded about 93 marine biology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $21,980 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in marine biology from Eckerd College

19

Florida Institute Of Technology landed the #19 spot for marine biology this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Melbourne. Florida Institute Of Technology graduates 62% of students within six years. About 14 marine biology degrees were awarded at Florida Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine biology program make about $69,878 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $32,114 to complete this degree. Get the full marine biology details for Florida Institute Of Technology

20

Savannah State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best marine biology schools. Located in the city of Savannah, Savannah State University is a mid-sized public university. Savannah State University graduates 28% of students within six years. About 21 marine biology degrees were awarded at Savannah State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine biology degree recipients from Savannah State University generally make around $34,489. Savannah State University graduates carry a median of $31,576 in student loans. Get the full marine biology details for Savannah State University

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 33 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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