2026 Best Value Fisheries Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Hocking College
Nelsonville, OH

For return on investment in fisheries sciences, no school beat Hocking College this year. Hocking College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Nelsonville. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $16,535. Fisheries Sciences graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $37,713 early in their careers. Set against $16,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI

Students looking for strong value in fisheries sciences will find it at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Fisheries Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,399 in student loans. Early-career fisheries sciences graduates make about $42,297. That is a strong return on a $21,399 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point admits about 92% of applicants.

3

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Purdue University Main Campus earned it the #3 place for fisheries sciences. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Typical student debt for fisheries sciences graduates is $20,500. Fisheries Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $31,317 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

4

Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie, MI

Lake Superior State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value fisheries sciences schools. Located in the town of Sault Ste Marie, Lake Superior State University is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,890. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from Lake Superior State University generally make around $34,729. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Northern Michigan University
Marquette, MI

Northern Michigan University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value fisheries sciences schools. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, compared with $19,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,875 to complete the fisheries sciences program here. Soon after graduation, fisheries sciences degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $31,386. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.