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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Fisheries Sciences Schools

10 Colleges in the United States
$22,829 Avg Student Debt
$58,095 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Fisheries Sciences Badge [Fisheries Sciences](/majors/natural-resources-conservation/fishing-fisheries-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value fisheries sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Fisheries Sciences School for You

Where you study fisheries sciences affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Fisheries Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

See how we build our rankings

One Size Does Not Fit All

We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Fisheries 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.

Associate's Degrees in Fisheries Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in Fisheries Sciences
Master's Degrees in Fisheries Sciences
Doctorate Degrees in Fisheries Sciences

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.

Learn more about our methodology

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2026 Best Value Fisheries Sciences Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the fisheries sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Fisheries Sciences Schools

1
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for fisheries sciences in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $53,216. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in fisheries sciences will find it at University Of Alaska Southeast, which ranked #2. University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Juneau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,936, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $20,458 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Fisheries Sciences graduates of University Of Alaska Southeast earn a median of $63,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

3

Humboldt State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value fisheries sciences schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $19,129. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $29,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point one of the best values for fisheries sciences. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Stevens Point. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $21,399. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $42,297. Set against $21,399 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5
Hocking College crest
Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

Hocking College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fisheries sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, compared with $10,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,535 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from Hocking College generally make around $37,713. That is a strong return on a $16,535 median debt.

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6

University Of Idaho landed the #6 spot for fisheries sciences value this year. Set in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $23,844. Fisheries Sciences graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.

7
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for fisheries sciences value this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Fisheries Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $31,317. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

8
Lake Superior State University crest
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University placed #8 among the best values for fisheries sciences. Lake Superior State University is a small public school located in the town of Sault Ste Marie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,890. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $25,250. Fisheries Sciences graduates of Lake Superior State University earn a median of $34,729 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt.

9

Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill earned the #9 position for value in fisheries sciences this year. Suny College Of Agriculture And Technology At Cobleskill is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cobleskill. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $23,490. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $31,793. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

10

Northern Michigan University earned the #10 position for value in fisheries sciences this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $26,875. Fisheries Sciences graduates of Northern Michigan University earn a median of $31,386 early in their careers. Set against $26,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

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11

Oregon State University placed #11 among the best values for fisheries sciences. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Fisheries Sciences graduates carry a median of $33,518 in student loans. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $33,314. That is a strong return on a $33,518 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.

12

University Of Rhode Island landed the #12 spot for fisheries sciences value this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Fisheries Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

13

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #13 spot for fisheries sciences value this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,114 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $33,410. Set against $24,114 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

14

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #14 spot for fisheries sciences value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Fisheries Sciences graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.

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Fisheries Sciences is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

Major Annual Graduates
Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management 368

View All Fisheries Sciences Concentrations >

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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