Best institutions to study Oceanography
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemical components, mechanisms, structure, and movement of ocean waters and their interaction with terrestrial and atmospheric phenomena.
35 U.S. institutions graduated 534 Oceanography students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0607, a specialization of Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06), and leads most directly to the Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers occupation (BLS SOC 19-2042).
About Oceanography programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemical components, mechanisms, structure, and movement of ocean waters and their interaction with terrestrial and atmospheric phenomena. Includes instruction in material inputs and outputs, chemical and biochemical transformations in marine systems, equilibria studies, inorganic and organic ocean chemistry, oceanographic processes, sediment transport, zone processes, circulation, mixing, tidal movements, wave properties, and seawater properties.
See also: 26.1302 - Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Oceanography program, under the broader field of Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, focuses on the scientific study of ocean waters, including their chemical components, movement, and interaction with terrestrial and atmospheric phenomena. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding marine systems and their complexities, as well as those looking to contribute to environmental science and research.
Students in the Oceanography program will gain knowledge in various areas including ocean chemistry, sediment transport, and tidal movements. Core skills developed include critical thinking, mathematics, and effective communication, which are essential for analyzing and interpreting geological data.
Credentials awarded
What Oceanography graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree234 graduates / yr · 17 institutions44%
- Master's degree173 graduates / yr · 22 institutions32%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship124 graduates / yr · 20 institutions23%
- Associate's degree3 graduates / yr · 2 institutions0.6%
Graduates over time
Oceanography completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 541 |
| 2013 | 563 |
| 2014 | 579 |
| 2015 | 559 |
| 2016 | 570 |
| 2017 | 498 |
| 2018 | 452 |
| 2019 | 508 |
| 2020 | 464 |
| 2021 | 499 |
| 2022 | 531 |
| 2023 | 512 |
| 2024 | 562 |
| 2025 | 534 |
Top 35 institutions for 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, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 72 | 86% | — | — |
| 2 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 59 | 69% | — | $42,218 |
| 3 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 39 | 85% | — | $29,724 |
| 4 | United States Coast Guard Academy New London, CTPublicBachelor's | 29 | 93% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Rhode Island Kingston, RIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 73% | — | — |
| 6 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 84% | — | $44,585 |
| 7 | United States Naval Academy Annapolis, MDPublicBachelor's | 26 | 93% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 22 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 9 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 22 | 49% | — | — |
| 10 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 18 | 77% | — | $48,565 |
| 11 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 18 | 96% | $11,666 | — |
| 12 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 71% | — | $38,459 |
| 13 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicBachelor's | 15 | 85% | — | $38,871 |
| 14 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicBachelor's | 13 | 93% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 83% | — | — |
| 16 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 86% | — | — |
| 17 | Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 13 | 84% | — | $47,045 |
| 18 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown, PAPublicBachelor's | 11 | 54% | — | $28,040 |
| 19 | California State Polytechnic University - Humboldt Arcata, CAPublicBachelor's | 10 | 49% | — | $29,476 |
| 20 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 64% | — | — |
| 21 | Cal Poly Maritime Academy Vallejo, CAPublicBachelor's | 9 | 60% | — | — |
| 22 | Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, FLPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 64% | $33,585 | — |
| 23 | University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, AKPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 38% | — | — |
| 24 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicDoctoralMaster's | 5 | 91% | — | — |
| 25 | Old Dominion University Norfolk, VAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 46% | — | — |
| 26 | Maine Maritime Academy Castine, MEPublicBachelor's | 4 | 58% | — | — |
| 27 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WIPublicMaster's | 4 | 90% | — | $43,068 |
| 28 | Hawaii Pacific University Honolulu, HIPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 35% | $30,299 | — |
| 29 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicDoctoralMaster's | 3 | 55% | — | — |
| 30 | Rider University Lawrenceville, NJPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | 61% | $23,844 | — |
| 31 | Shasta College Redding, CAPublicAssociate's | 2 | 23% | — | — |
| 32 | University of New Hampshire - Main Campus Durham, NHPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 2 | 76% | — | — |
| 33 | City College of San Francisco San Francisco, CAPublicAssociate's | 1 | 40% | — | — |
| 34 | Naval Postgraduate School Monterey, CAPublicMaster's | 1 | — | — | — |
| 35 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicDoctoral | 1 | 81% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences field (CIP 40.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 20 states
Where Oceanography graduates come from. Each state links to all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-2042, Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Oceanography program can pursue careers as geoscientists, natural sciences managers, or educators in atmospheric and marine sciences. The job outlook is about as fast as average, with an expected growth rate of 3.2% and approximately 2,000 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is around $99,240, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0607
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographersprimary SOC 19-2042 | $101,920 | +3.2% About as fast as average | ~2,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1051 | $103,170 | +2.6% About as fast as average | ~1,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Hydrologists SOC 19-2043 | $96,600 | -0.1% Little or no change | ~500 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in 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
- Plan or conduct geological, geochemical, or geophysical field studies or surveys, sample collection, or drilling and testing programs used to collect data for research or application.
- Analyze and interpret geological data, using computer software.
- Investigate the composition, structure, or history of the Earth's crust through the collection, examination, measurement, or classification of soils, minerals, rocks, or fossil remains.
- Analyze and interpret geological, geochemical, or geophysical information from sources, such as survey data, well logs, bore holes, or aerial photos.
- Identify risks for natural disasters, such as mudslides, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions.
- Prepare geological maps, cross-sectional diagrams, charts, or reports concerning mineral extraction, land use, or resource management, using results of fieldwork or laboratory research.
Tools and technology used
Other Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06).
- Geology/CIP 40.0601
Earth Science 5,615 graduates / yr433 institutions - Geological and Earth Sciences/CIP 40.0699
Geosciences 946 graduates / yr87 institutions - Hydrology and Water Resources ScienceCIP 40.0605206 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Geophysics and SeismologyCIP 40.0603169 graduates / yr32 institutions
- GeochemistryCIP 40.0602partial data24 graduates / yr8 institutions
- PaleontologyCIP 40.0604partial data21 graduates / yr5 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Geochemistry and Petrology40.0606
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in Oceanography?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctor's degree in Oceanography.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, science, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with an Oceanography degree?+
You can work as a geoscientist, natural sciences manager, or educator in related fields.
What is the job outlook for Oceanography graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.2% and approximately 2,000 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Oceanography?+
Oceanography is CIP 40.0607 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the chemical components, mechanisms, structure, and movement of ocean waters and their interaction with terrestrial and atmospheric phenomena. Includes instruction in material inputs and outputs, chemical and biochemical transformations in marine systems, equilibria studies, inorganic and organic ocean chemistry, oceanographic processes, sediment transport, zone processes, circulation, mixing, tidal movements, wave properties, and seawater properties.
How many institutions offer Oceanography programs?+
35 U.S. institutions reported Oceanography graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 20 states, awarding 534 credentials in the year. That is 7.1% of all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates.
How much do Oceanography graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers occupation, which Oceanography most directly leads to, pays a median of $101,920 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences field report median earnings of $42,218 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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card