by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Marine Sciences involves the study of Marine Sciences. A Program That Focuses On The Study Of Biology, Chemistry, Geology And Physics Applied To Marine, Estuarine And Coastal Environments. Includes Instruction In Marine Biogeochemistry, Atmosphere And Ocean Dynamics, Coastal Ecology, Coastal Ocean Processes, Microbial Ecology, Marine Ecosystem Modeling, And Polar Microbiology. Read on to learn the key facts every marine sciences major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering marine sciences programs.
In the U.S., marine sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 482 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Marine Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 33 schools to determine the best overall colleges for marine sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of marine sciences programs later in this article.
Studies in Marine Sciences build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations marine sciences graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a marine sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a marine sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several marine sciences degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 2 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 17 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 306 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 121 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 36 |
People currently working in careers related to marine sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 40.5% |
| Master’s degree | 29.0% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.0% |
| Doctoral degree | 7.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.4% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.3% |
| Some college courses | 2.2% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.4% |
| First professional degree | 0.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in marine sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in marine sciences prepares you for numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to marine sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to marine sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists | 188,913 | 7.4% |
| Geneticists | 183,832 | -1.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Climate Change Policy Analysts | 173,597 | 7.1% |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | 164,357 | 8.7% |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | 159,217 | -1.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of marine sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $27,992 |
| 4 years | $38,329 |
| 5 years | $48,064 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for marine sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers marine sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Molecular and Cellular Biologists | $100,077 |
| Bioinformatics Scientists | $92,484 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $90,139 |
| Industrial Ecologists | $83,212 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $79,550 |
With 33 different marine sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased marine sciences school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
