Marine Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 41 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best marine sciences schools.
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Choosing a Great Marine Sciences School
The marine sciences program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Marine Sciences Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Marine Sciences School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
We offer several rankings, including this Best Marine Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. 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.
No school ranked higher than Stony Brook University this year for marine sciences. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 22 marine sciences degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine sciences program make about $60,047 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,537.
See the full marine sciences program report for Stony Brook University
University Of California Davis is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine sciences, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 19 marine sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Marine Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $53,749 early in their careers. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $14,404 in student loans.
See the full marine sciences program report for University Of California Davis
Students looking for a strong marine sciences program will find one at San Francisco State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 marine sciences degrees were awarded at San Francisco State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $50,955. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete this degree.
See the full marine sciences program report for San Francisco State University
Students looking for a strong marine sciences program will find one at University Of Florida, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 marine sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Marine Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $58,388 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree.
See the full marine sciences program report for University Of Florida
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best marine sciences schools. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 24 marine sciences students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $27,337. Typical student debt for the program is $19,273.
See the full marine sciences program report for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best marine sciences schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida Atlantic University awarded about 15 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine sciences degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans.
More information about a degree in marine sciences from Florida Atlantic University
University Of Georgia ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best marine sciences schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. About 11 marine sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Georgia in the most recent year. Marine Sciences graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete this degree.
Read more about the marine sciences program at University Of Georgia
Western Washington University earned the #8 position for marine sciences 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. There were roughly 14 marine sciences students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine sciences degree from Western Washington University earn around $41,118 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,361.
Read more about the marine sciences program at Western Washington University
University Of Maine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best marine sciences schools. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. University Of Maine graduates 55% of students within six years. University Of Maine awarded about 71 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Sciences graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $29,243 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Read more about the marine sciences program at University Of Maine
Hawaii Pacific University came in at #10 for marine sciences this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Hawaii Pacific University graduates 35% of students within six years. About 14 marine sciences degrees were awarded at Hawaii Pacific University in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine sciences degree from Hawaii Pacific University earn around $49,182 in the first couple years of their career. Hawaii Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,385 in student loans.
Get the full marine sciences details for Hawaii Pacific University
California State University Monterey Bay came in at #11 for marine sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Seaside, California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. About 108 marine sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Monterey Bay in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine sciences degree from California State University Monterey Bay earn around $27,268 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,800 to complete this degree.
Get the full marine sciences details for California State University Monterey Bay
College Of Micronesia Fsm ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best marine sciences schools. This public school is set in Pohnpei, FM. About 16 marine sciences degrees were awarded at College Of Micronesia Fsm in the most recent year.
See the full marine sciences program report for College Of Micronesia Fsm
Marine Sciences is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
