Marine Biology Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of organisms in the ocean and other marine environments.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$62K
salary
ROI Payback
7.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
5.5%
rate
Marine Biology Overview
Study of organisms in the ocean and other marine environments.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
58%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
35%
Lifetime Premium
$250K
Female Graduates
60%
Marine Biology Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$18,000
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$18,000
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$232,000
Lifetime earnings premium ($250,000) minus net degree cost ($18,000)
Marine Biology Salary Progression
Common Marine Biology Careers
Marine Biologist
Aquarist
Environmental Consultant
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Marine Biology
#1
Scripps/UCSD
#2
University of Miami
#3
University of Hawaii
#4
Oregon State
#5
Duke
Marine Biology Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Marine Biology Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for marine biology programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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