2026 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools

1

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

Leading the list is University Of South Florida Main Campus, our #1 best value for chemical & physical oceanography in the United States. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $48,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

2

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

3

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #3 place for chemical & physical oceanography. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $17,101. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $79,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

4

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florida State University earned it the #4 place for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,488. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $51,884. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

5

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

A rank of #5 makes University Of Alaska Fairbanks one of the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $23,439. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $50,963. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt.

6

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #6 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $48,181. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

7

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #7 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $29,724. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

8

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Students borrow a median of $20,526 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $29,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.

9

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #9 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $17,875. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $66,254. That is a strong return on a $17,875 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.

10

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University earned the #10 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.

11

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi landed the #11 spot for chemical & physical oceanography value this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.

12

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #12 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,833 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $43,362 early in their careers. Set against $20,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Santa Cruz admits about 66% of applicants.

13

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #13 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $25,000. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $43,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

14

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #14 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $22,234 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $38,871 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.

16

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology landed the #16 spot for chemical & physical oceanography value this year. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $13,516. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

17

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #17 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $38,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 64%.

18

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island came in at #18 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $23,432. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

19

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #19 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $42,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

20

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station earned the #20 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,837 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $57,562. Set against $20,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

21

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut landed the #21 spot for chemical & physical oceanography value this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 52%.

22

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Kutztown, PA

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #22 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $28,040 early in their careers. Set against $26,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.

23

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Durham, NH

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #23 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Students borrow a median of $26,368 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $52,064 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,368 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

24

Rutgers University New Brunswick
New Brunswick, NJ

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,830 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $47,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,830 median debt. Rutgers University New Brunswick admits about 58% of applicants.

25

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 19%.