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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Bachelor’s Degree Schools

7 Colleges in the United States
$21,867 Avg Student Debt
$66,120 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Bachelor's Degree Badge [Chemical & Physical Oceanography](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/oceanography-chemical-and-physical/) 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for chemical & physical oceanography students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the chemical & physical oceanography degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Chemical & Physical Oceanography Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of California San Diego, our #1 best value for chemical & physical oceanography in the United States. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $17,101. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $79,645. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

2

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $48,565. Set against $24,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

3
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in chemical & physical oceanography, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned it the #5 place for chemical & physical oceanography. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,577. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,500. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $29,724. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

7

Humboldt State University earned the #7 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,526. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $29,476. That is a strong return on a $20,526 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.

8

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #8 spot for chemical & physical oceanography value this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

9

Old Dominion University placed #9 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,998, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $25,415. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Southern Mississippi admits about 99% of applicants.

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University Of California Santa Cruz placed #11 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $20,833. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $43,362 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,833 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #12 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $43,068. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

13

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #13 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. 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. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

14

University Of Delaware ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

15

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value chemical & physical oceanography schools. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,152. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $26,000. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $38,459. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

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16

University Of Rhode Island earned the #16 position for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $23,432. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.

17

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #17 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Set in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $42,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.

18

Texas A And M University College Station placed #18 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,837 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $44,585 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

19

Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #19 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for chemical & physical oceanography graduates is $26,334. Soon after graduation, chemical & physical oceanography degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,040. That is a strong return on a $26,334 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

20

Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #20 among the best values for chemical & physical oceanography. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Students borrow a median of $24,830 to complete the chemical & physical oceanography program here. Early-career chemical & physical oceanography graduates make about $47,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

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21
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami came in at #21 for value in chemical & physical oceanography this year. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Chemical & Physical Oceanography graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. Roughly 19% of applicants are accepted.

Other Chemical & Physical Oceanography Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Chemical & Physical Oceanography rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Chemical & Physical Oceanography
Associate's Degrees in Chemical & Physical Oceanography
Master's Degrees in Chemical & Physical Oceanography
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View All Chemical & Physical Oceanography Rankings >

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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 · 44 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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