Best Master’s in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography Programs

Do you want to study at-risk species and learn about marine conservation? Out of 57,155 vertebrates — mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes — the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species identified roughly 10,437 threatened species in 2021. Earning a master’s in marine biology and biological oceanography prepares graduates to work in academic research to promote marine conservation or find careers in business, consulting, policy, and teaching.

Master’s level biological science degreesprepare graduates for top-level marine biology and oceanography jobs or fast-track them to a Ph.D. program. After graduation, they can work as marine biologists, who in 2021 made a median annual salary of $64,650, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

The average master’s level STEM degree takes two years. Some online degrees can be completed in 18 months since they have shortened semesters, which means they might cost less. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average public graduate school costs $12,410 a year. Private schools charge $26,597 a year. That said, the true cost of college can often cost more.

On this page, you’ll learn about the best online and on-campus master’s in marine biology and biological oceanography degrees and how you can go to college without going into debt.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

Each year, the BestColleges Ranking Team evaluates hundreds of programs to produce our annual Best Master’s in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography ranking. In 2022, the team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 32 schools that qualify for our ranking list based on the following criteria.

To ensure the accuracy and quality of our final ranked list, the ranking team reviewed each qualifying school to ensure it met the criteria for our ranking, and then applied our proprietary ranking methodology to identify the best schools offering this program in the nation. Each school is ranked based on a formula measuring academic factors (60%) and affordability (40%).

The BestColleges Ranking Team is made up of contributors from our data science and product management teams. These contributors operate independently from the editorial team. All BestColleges school rankings are produced by the ranking team and are free of editorial influence. Read our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more.

Yes, if you have a passion and dedication to marine ecology. A master’s in marine biology and biological oceanography can help you to secure research, teaching, and policy positions.

Students learn in labs, classrooms, and in the field. They study important topics such as the human impacts on the coastal environment, plankton ecology, and climatology. Many of the nation’s best master marine biology and biological oceanography programs operate out of schools situated in prime locations near the Pacific and Atlantic — and they may also offer international travel.

Colleges also offer online marine biology and biological oceanography degrees. Students can take remote courses that let students study from home, a convenience that benefits busy parents or working professionals.

A master’s in marine biology and biological oceanography degree gives students the science background and research skills to work as marine biologists and researchers for state, national, and private environmental agencies. Graduates also apply their research skills and knowledge of marine biology to work in consulting, tech, business, and politics.

A master’s in marine biology and biological oceanography degree prepares students for the rigorous research and writing required in a Ph.D. program. Colleges such as William & Mary even offer accelerated Ph.D. pathways for master’s students who show promise in the field.

While the BLS projects a slower than average employment growth for marine biologists, it projects the addition of roughly 1,700 positions each year from 2020-2030. About 40% of zoologists and wildlife biologists work in state government and 23% work for the federal government. They also work for consulting companies, colleges, and research and development.

Environmental scientists and specialists will see a projected employment growth of 8% in that decade, according to the BLS. During that time, employers should add about 9,400 openings each year.

Overall, life, physical and social science jobs should grow by 8%, with about 113,800 positions being added to the workforce in the next 10 years.

What you make after earning a master’s in marine biology and biological oceanography degree depends on the job and your professional background. Graduates can become sustainability consultants, CEOs, program officers, professors, researchers, policy analysts, and marine biologists.

Professionals working in life, physical, and social sciences made a median annual salary of $72,740 in 2021, according to BLS. Marine biologists made the most working for the federal government, where they earned a median annual wage of $81,890. Wages often increase as marine biologists advance in their careers and contribute scientific research, with the top 10% making more than $103,900.

Environmental scientists and specialists earned a median annual salary of $76,530 in 2021, with the top 10% making more than $129,070.

Marine biologists can earn a median annual salary between $81,890-$61,780, depending on where they work — well above the national average salary of $55,630.

Graduates of master’s in marine biology and biological oceanography programs can also become research scientists who, according to PayScale, made an average of $84,290 a year as of June 2022. Environmental consultants earned an average annual salary of $60,180.

Another career possibility for marine biology graduates: college professors. Postsecondary teachers earned a median annual salary of $79,640 in 2021, according to the BLS. Marine science postsecondary teachers earned a median annual salary of $98,070.

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