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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Marine Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region

5 Colleges in the United States
193 Marine Sciences Degrees Awarded
$41,601 Avg Early-Career Salary

Marine Sciences 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.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for marine sciences students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Marine Sciences in the Far Western Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the marine sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Marine Sciences

1

Leading the list is University Of California Davis, our #1 school for marine sciences. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. About 86% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 19 marine sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine sciences program make about $53,749 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete this degree. Get the full marine sciences details for University Of California Davis

2

A rank of #2 makes San Francisco State University one of the top schools for marine sciences. 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. Students who receive their marine sciences degree from San Francisco State University earn around $50,955 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete this degree. See the full marine sciences program report for San Francisco State University

3

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine sciences, ranking #3. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Graduates of the marine sciences program make about $27,337 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $19,273 in student loans. Read more about the marine sciences program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

4

Western Washington University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best marine sciences schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bellingham. Western Washington University graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 marine sciences students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine sciences program make about $41,118 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete this degree. Read more about the marine sciences program at Western Washington University

5

Hawaii Pacific University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, Hawaii Pacific University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Hawaii Pacific University graduates 35% of students within six years. Hawaii Pacific University awarded about 14 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Sciences graduates of Hawaii Pacific University earn a median of $49,182 early in their careers. Hawaii Pacific University graduates carry a median of $25,385 in student loans. Read more about the marine sciences program at Hawaii Pacific University

6

California State University Monterey Bay landed the #6 spot for marine sciences this year. California State University Monterey Bay is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Seaside. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. California State University Monterey Bay awarded about 108 marine sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Sciences graduates of California State University Monterey Bay earn a median of $27,268 early in their careers. California State University Monterey Bay graduates carry a median of $17,800 in student loans. Read more about the marine sciences program at California State University Monterey Bay

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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 · 12 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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