Best institutions to study Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting oceans, coastal waters, and saltwater wetlands and their interactions with the physical environment.
84 U.S. institutions graduated 2,636 Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 26.1302, a specialization of Ecology (CIP 26.13), and leads most directly to the Biological Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4021).
About Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting oceans, coastal waters, and saltwater wetlands and their interactions with the physical environment. Includes instruction in chemical, physical, and geological oceanography; molecular, cellular, and biochemical studies; marine microbiology; marine botany; ichthyology; mammalogy; marine population dynamics and biodiversity; reproductive biology; studies of specific species, phyla, habitats, and ecosystems; marine paleocology and palentology; and applications to fields such as fisheries science and biotechnology.
See also: 40.0607 - Oceanography, Chemical and Physical., 03.0301 - Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management., 30.3201 - Marine Sciences.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography program focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of marine life, including microbes, plants, and animals in oceans and coastal waters. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the interactions between marine organisms and their physical environment, as well as the ecological dynamics of various marine habitats.
Students will gain knowledge in chemical, physical, and geological oceanography, as well as marine microbiology, ichthyology, and marine population dynamics. Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and practical skills in research methodologies.
Credentials awarded
What Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree2,157 graduates / yr · 70 institutions82%
- Master's degree365 graduates / yr · 30 institutions14%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship84 graduates / yr · 19 institutions3.2%
- Associate's degree17 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year13 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.5%
Graduates over time
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,398 |
| 2013 | 1,506 |
| 2014 | 1,564 |
| 2015 | 1,658 |
| 2016 | 1,729 |
| 2017 | 1,700 |
| 2018 | 1,744 |
| 2019 | 1,838 |
| 2020 | 1,899 |
| 2021 | 1,816 |
| 2022 | 1,976 |
| 2023 | 2,351 |
| 2024 | 2,352 |
| 2025 | 2,636 |
Top 50 institutions for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 171 | 86% | — | $31,088 |
| 2 | Unity Environmental University New Gloucester, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 150 | 29% | $19,316 | — |
| 3 | Coastal Carolina University Conway, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 148 | 48% | — | $26,838 |
| 4 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 133 | 84% | $26,589 | $23,504 |
| 5 | Eckerd College Saint Petersburg, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 111 | 66% | $31,022 | $21,980 |
| 6 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 108 | 84% | — | $27,770 |
| 7 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 103 | 71% | — | $25,303 |
| 8 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 94 | 64% | — | $25,820 |
| 9 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor's | 81 | 75% | — | $25,810 |
| 10 | Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NYPublicBachelor's | 72 | 76% | — | $22,725 |
| 11 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor's | 68 | 85% | — | $27,100 |
| 12 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor's | 67 | 69% | — | $35,436 |
| 13 | The University of Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 60 | 64% | $33,070 | $29,603 |
| 14 | Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 55 | 63% | $31,672 | $31,114 |
| 15 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor's | 54 | 77% | — | — |
| 16 | College of Charleston Charleston, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 51 | 66% | — | — |
| 17 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 49 | 79% | — | $25,271 |
| 18 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor's | 48 | 74% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 46 | 81% | — | $33,296 |
| 20 | University of New England Biddeford, MEPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 46 | 68% | $34,673 | $29,871 |
| 21 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicBachelor's | 46 | 73% | — | $26,176 |
| 22 | University of Hawaii at Hilo Hilo, HIPublicBachelor's | 42 | 48% | — | — |
| 23 | Roger Williams University Bristol, RIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 42 | 69% | $34,648 | $29,074 |
| 24 | Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 39 | 35% | $30,299 | $25,499 |
| 25 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 38 | 49% | — | — |
| 26 | Stockton University Galloway, NJPublicBachelor's | 38 | 69% | — | $29,289 |
| 27 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 35 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 28 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor's | 35 | 72% | — | — |
| 29 | Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 33 | 51% | $25,813 | — |
| 30 | Florida Southern College Lakeland, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 31 | 71% | $28,325 | $26,616 |
| 31 | University of West Florida Pensacola, FLPublicBachelor's | 31 | 59% | — | $25,299 |
| 32 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 30 | 91% | $18,925 | — |
| 33 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicBachelor's | 27 | 76% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicBachelor's | 26 | 83% | — | $32,882 |
| 35 | William & Mary Williamsburg, VAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | 89% | — | — |
| 36 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Bayamon Bayamon, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 21 | 35% | $10,334 | — |
| 37 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 73% | — | $17,511 |
| 38 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 64% | $33,585 | — |
| 39 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicBachelor's | 17 | 84% | — | $39,491 |
| 40 | The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Edinburg, TXPublicBachelor's | 17 | 51% | — | — |
| 41 | Savannah State University Savannah, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 16 | 28% | — | — |
| 42 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 15 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 43 | Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Fayette, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 51% | $25,582 | — |
| 44 | Northwest Missouri State University Maryville, MOPublicBachelor's | 14 | 54% | — | — |
| 45 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicBachelor's | 13 | 82% | — | — |
| 46 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor's | 13 | 93% | — | $18,728 |
| 47 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicBachelor's | 13 | 55% | — | — |
| 48 | Southern Maine Community College South Portland, MEPublicAssociate's | 13 | 28% | — | — |
| 49 | Texas A & M University - Corpus Christi Corpus Christi, TXPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 40% | — | — |
| 50 | University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez Mayaguez, PRPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 49% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Ecology field (CIP 26.13) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 29 states & territories
Where Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography graduates come from. Each state links to all Ecology programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4021, Biological Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Biological Technicians, with an annual growth rate of 3.5% and about 9,100 job openings each year. The median wage for this occupation is approximately $52,000, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 26.1302
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Biological Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4021 | $57,510 | +3.5% About as fast as average | ~9,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1042 | $84,620 | +7.3% Faster than average | ~5,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Biological Scientists, All Other SOC 19-1029 | $98,920 | +1.2% Little or no change | ~4,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists SOC 19-1023 | $76,780 | +1.6% Little or no change | ~1,400 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Conduct research, or assist in the conduct of research, including the collection of information and samples, such as blood, water, soil, plants and animals.
- Use computers, computer-interfaced equipment, robotics or high-technology industrial applications to perform work duties.
- Monitor and observe experiments, recording production and test data for evaluation by research personnel.
- Analyze experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings.
- Provide technical support and services for scientists and engineers working in fields such as agriculture, environmental science, resource management, biology, and health sciences.
- Keep detailed logs of all work-related activities.
Tools and technology used
Other Ecology specializations
The 11 other 6-digit CIP codes under Ecology (CIP 26.13).
- EpidemiologyCIP 26.13093,001 graduates / yr102 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.13011,166 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Ecology and Evolutionary BiologyCIP 26.1310879 graduates / yr42 institutions
- Environmental BiologyCIP 26.1305481 graduates / yr51 institutions
- Conservation BiologyCIP 26.1307405 graduates / yr37 institutions
- EcologyCIP 26.1399344 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Epidemiology and BiostatisticsCIP 26.1311248 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Evolutionary BiologyCIP 26.1303192 graduates / yr14 institutions
- Aquatic Biology/CIP 26.1304
Limnology partial data126 graduates / yr9 institutions - Systematic Biology/CIP 26.1308
Biological Systematics limited data24 graduates / yr2 institutions - Population BiologyCIP 26.1306partial data10 graduates / yr3 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree, with the Bachelor's being the most common.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, scientific research, data analysis, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a Biological Technician, Natural Sciences Manager, or Biological Science Teacher, among other roles.
What is the job outlook for marine biology graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 3.5% growth and 9,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography?+
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography is CIP 26.1302 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Ecology (CIP 26.13). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the ecology and behavior of microbes, plants, and animals inhabiting oceans, coastal waters, and saltwater wetlands and their interactions with the physical environment. Includes instruction in chemical, physical, and geological oceanography; molecular, cellular, and biochemical studies; marine microbiology; marine botany; ichthyology; mammalogy; marine population dynamics and biodiversity; reproductive biology; studies of specific species, phyla, habitats, and ecosystems; marine paleocology and palentology; and applications to fields such as fisheries science and biotechnology.
How many institutions offer Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography programs?+
84 U.S. institutions reported Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 29 states & territories, awarding 2,636 credentials in the year. That is 27.7% of all Ecology graduates.
How much do Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Biological Technicians occupation, which Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography most directly leads to, pays a median of $57,510 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Ecology field report median earnings of $27,100 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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