Marine Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Marine Sciences is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the complex interactions within oceanic, estuarine, and coastal systems through the lens of biological, chemical, geological, and physical sciences. This program equips students with the analytical and research skills needed to investigate environmental processes, ecosystem dynamics, and global change impacts across marine frontiers.
- Marine biogeochemistry: Explores the cycling of elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in marine environments, emphasizing how biological, chemical, and geological processes influence global nutrient balances.
- Atmosphere and ocean dynamics: Investigates the physical mechanisms driving ocean currents, wind patterns, and climate interactions, focusing on how energy transfer shapes marine circulation and weather systems.
- Coastal ecology: Examines the structure, function, and resilience of ecosystems in nearshore environments, including salt marshes, mangroves, and intertidal zones, under natural and human-influenced conditions.
- Coastal ocean processes: Studies the physical and chemical characteristics of coastal waters, including sediment transport, upwelling, and the effects of human development on water quality and habitat integrity.
- Microbial ecology: Focuses on the roles of microorganisms in marine food webs, nutrient cycling, and biogeochemical transformations, particularly in extreme or underexplored habitats.
- Marine ecosystem modeling: Applies computational and statistical tools to simulate ecosystem behavior, predict responses to environmental change, and support sustainable management decisions.
- Polar microbiology: Investigates microbial life in polar oceans, including adaptations to cold, high-salinity, and low-light conditions, and their contributions to global biogeochemical cycles.
Marine Sciences Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Marine Sciences Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Marine Sciences degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Physical Scientists, All Other and Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 459,050 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Physical Scientists, All Other 19-2099 | $117,960 | $61,990 - $191,880 | 22,580 | $56.71 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers 19-2042 | $99,240 | $58,790 - $178,880 | 22,510 | $47.71 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other 19-1029 | $93,330 | $54,500 - $159,780 | 59,710 | $44.87 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health 19-2041 | $80,060 | $50,130 - $134,830 | 84,930 | $38.49 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other 25-1199 | $78,490 | $39,720 - $172,850 | 151,530 | N/A |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 19-1023 | $72,860 | $48,240 - $113,350 | 16,920 | $35.03 |
Marine Sciences Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $72,158 in Delaware to $120,864 in District of Columbia—a 68% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Massachusetts, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 459,050 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Marine Sciences by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 33 institutions offering Marine Sciences programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Marine Sciences is found at California State University (CSUMB), Monterey Bay (108 graduates), University of Maine (UMaine) (71 graduates), University of Florida (UF) (38 graduates), California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo (24 graduates), and Stony Brook University (SBU) (22 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 482 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California State University (CSUMB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
108 | Seaside, California | Public | csumb.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
71 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
|
38 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
24 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| College of Micronesia-FSM (COM-FSM) |
Associate's
|
16 | Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia | Public | comfsm.fm |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Master's
|
15 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Master's
|
14 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Hawaii Pacific University (HPU) |
Master's
|
14 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Private | hpu.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| Texas A & M University (TAMU‑CC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
12 | Corpus Christi, Texas | Public | tamucc.edu |
| University of South Alabama (USA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
11 | Mobile, Alabama | Public | southalabama.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
11 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| San Jose State University (SJSU) |
Master's
|
8 | San Jose, California | Public | sjsu.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
8 | North Dartmouth, Massachusetts | Public | umassd.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) |
Master's
|
8 | Edinburg, Texas | Public | utrgv.edu |
| St. Mary's College of Maryland (SMCM) |
Bachelor's
|
7 | St. Mary's City, Maryland | Public | smcm.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Other Award
|
6 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| The College of the Florida Keys (CFK) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Key West, Florida | Public | cfk.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Other Award
|
5 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Castine, Maine | Public | mainemaritime.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
4 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| Rowan University |
Other Award
|
2 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| College of the Marshall Islands (CMI) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Majuro, Marshall Islands | Public | cmi.edu |
| University of Southern California (USC) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Los Angeles, California | Private | usc.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Doctorate (Research)
|
1 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Master's
|
1 | Boston, Massachusetts | Public | umb.edu |
| American Samoa Community College (ASCC) |
Associate's
|
1 | Pago Pago, American Samoa | Public | amsamoa.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Marine Sciences programs
How much can I earn with a Marine Sciences degree?
Salaries for Marine Sciences graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Physical Scientists, All Other earn around $117,960. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $120,864 compared to $72,158 in Delaware. Approximately 459,050 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Marine Sciences programs?
Currently 33 accredited institutions offer Marine Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include California State University (CSUMB), Monterey Bay (108 graduates), University of Maine (UMaine) (71 graduates), and University of Florida (UF) (38 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Marine Sciences growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 53 in 2010 to 482 in 2023-24. This represents a 809% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Marine Sciences degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Physical Scientists, All Other, and Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers. Related occupations employ approximately 459,050 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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