Best Marine Biology Colleges

Marine Biology is the study of the behavior, mechanism, and biology of marine life. If you want to become a marine biologist, aquarist, botanist, bio technician, or research assistant or pursue a career that equips you with knowledge of marine animal and plant life, studying marine biology is the right course of study for you. Many colleges and Universities in the United States of America provide several graduate and undergraduate degree programs in marine biology. These are well-equipped with the resources and facilities to help you with the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue your professional career in marine biology. This article brings you to the best marine biology schools in the United States of America. Let us know Best Marine Biology Colleges.

Best Marine Biology Colleges

What Are The Best Marine Biology Schools In The United States Of America?

Duke University

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina has been around since 1838. The Private research University is ranked one of the best Universities in the United States of America and around the world. The school’s Department of Biology has various marine biology programs offered at the Duke University of Marine Laboratory. The laboratory is located at Piver’s Island near Beaufort. Students pursue either a BS degree or a BA degree. Each student is supposed to take four-course units depending on their interests. Duke University’s undergraduate degree is one of the most popular in marine biology. The marine biology degree is popular because it not only provides in-depth theoretical knowledge but also provides practical skills thanks to the forty-five research centers and laboratories. Students complete a couple of requirements under their lab experience which makes them outstanding. The school offers competitive graduate programs like a Ph.D. in Marine Science and Conservation.

Boston University

Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts is a nonsectarian private research University founded in 1839. The marine biology undergraduate and graduate programs are world-class programs. The school’s experienced research professors in the marine research group mentor their students in fulfilling research topics like functional genomics, marine conservation, biomimicry, and marine species extinction. The marine biology program students get a hands-on experience and skills from the school’s partnerships with the Stellwagen Bank and the New England Aquarium, the Sea Education Association, and the National Marine Sanctuary with government and non-government marine conservation programs. These partnerships make it one of the most diverse and insightful colleges for marine biology programs. The undergraduate program at Boston is the Boston University Marine program. Boston’s graduate programs allow students to carry out research in topics like microbiology, marine conservation science, evolution, and sensory development of marine organisms. Boston University Marine semester enables you to explore your courses with hands-on experience in top destinations in New England and the Belize Barrier Reef. These opportunities mentor you into a high-profile professional in your career path.

Eckerd College

Eckerd College in St.Petersburg, Florida is a Liberal Arts college that was founded in 1958. The college was ranked 128th in the National Liberal Arts category by US News and World Report in 2022. The school only has undergraduate programs in marine biology and the school’s hands on curriculum specializes in four areas of Marine Geology, Marine Chemistry, Marine Geophysics, and Marine Biology. The course at Eckerd college is interdisciplinary and educate you in aspects of marine science outside your specialty. The school has elective courses, research opportunities, internship, and study abroad programs, and grants. It is a top destination for marine biology students because of its modern facilities like a prime waterfront location near the Gulf of Mexico.

If Eckerd college is your top choice, the Gulf of Mexico location is a perfect place for the study of marine science because of its coastal environment and very beautiful scenery.

University Of North Carolina Wilmington

The University of North Carolina is one of the oldest public Universities in the United States of America. The public research University was ranked the first undergraduate marine science degree program by College Values Online in 2020. The school’s department of Biology and Marine Biology is in Friday Hall and Dobo Hall and is equipped with modern research facilities like the Richard M. Dillaman Bioimaving Faculty. UNCW’s other research facilities are in the Center for Marine Science. The center for Marine Science at UNWC research is in areas of applied and basic research in coastal and wetland studies, aquaculture, oceanography, marine biomedical, and environmental physiology. The biology and marine biology programs at UNCW are internationally recognized. The programs are fully equipped to provide the skills and training you need in your professional career. You can engage in active research programs and get mentored by a dynamic and growing department. UNCW programs have a high acceptance rate of 20% and it is graduated have a placement rate of 92.4%. The institution is highly sought because it supports its students with stipends of about $13,000 for research assistants or teaching assistants. Non-North Carolina residents receive state tuition which is 6-8 credits per hour.

Oregon State University

Oregon State University in Corvallis Oregon is a land research grand University and the biggest University in Oregon. The University is ranked as a Best Value School by the US News & World Report has three majors. OSU has the only marine biology degree in the Pacific Northwest. Marine biology at OSU is provided at the Hartfield Marine center and can be pursued by all students whether they have a biology background or not. The Marine Biology in Eugene has three majors in ecology, biology, physiology, and mathematics.

The degree is taught through courses like Invertebrate Zoology, Marine Birds and Mammals, Oceanography, and Tropical Biology in Panama. The courses are taught at the OIMB during their years of intense hands-on classes in their junior and senior year. The OIMB classes are the most insightful years at UO and the major reason why several students choose the University. The Institute of Marine Biology at Oregon is equipped with classrooms, laboratories, and dormitories in the coastal village of Charleston. These facilities help students to carry out research and be a part of internships that prepare them for their future careers as marine scientists. The school is affordable and most of the graduates’ graduate without student debt. 

The University Of Maine

The University of Maine was established in 1863. The public land grant University is classified among the R1 Doctoral Universities. University of Maine’s School of Marine Sciences has undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees allowing you to specialize in either marine biology, aquaculture, or physical science. The programs are some of the top programs in the United States. The graduate degrees offered at Maine are Oceanography, Marine Policy, and Marine Biology. The school has great expertise in marine science like biotechnology, fisheries economics, anthropology, marine geology, ecology, aquaculture, and oceanography. 

The University of Maine is located just an hour from the Atlantic coast making it one of the best locations to study marine biology. The students have access to subtidal and intertidal marine organisms, fishing ports, aquariums, and hatcheries. All these make learning practical and enjoyable.

The University Of New Hampshire

The University of New Hampshire was founded in 1866. The public land grant University in Durham New Hampshire has Marine Biology lectured at the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering. The school is interdisciplinary and provides both graduate and undergraduate degrees. The degrees are equipped and structured to address complex marine challenges. Undergraduate degree programs at the University of New Hampshire include Earth Sciences, Marine Estuarine, and Fresh Water Biology plus ocean Engineering. 

The school has five undergraduate programs and you can choose what you want to specialize in. UNH academic research centers and cooperative institutes are equipped to support the study of marine science and the school’s community outreach programs. UNH is one of the best schools for you to choose from because the school has good facilities and partnerships. The school for instance partners with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to provide all the necessary support for the school’s programs. Other facilities that support the study of marine science at UNH include the Judd Greg Marine Research, Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory, the Jackson Estuarine laboratory, Shoals Marine Laboratory, and an open shoal’s test site 1.5 miles South of Isles of Shoals.

The University Of New England

The University of New England in Maine is a private research university with abroad campuses in Portland, Biddeford, and Morocco. The institution is the largest private University in Maine. The school marine campus is located on the seaside where the Sacco River connects with the Atlantic Ocean. The school has undergraduate programs in Aquaculture and Aquarium science, marine entrepreneurship, marine affairs, and marine science. Graduate programs include an MS. In Marine Sciences and a P.S.M in Ocean Food Systems. The research areas at the University of New England marine school are applied Marine technology, human impact on the Ocean, publications, food from the ocean, and biology of marine organisms. School facilities include Ram Island, the Arthur P. Girard Marine Science center, and various vessels. The school’s s location on the coastal Maine shores gives students access to a living laboratory which makes studying practical. The school boasts of its private Island, Small classes, a world-class facility, state-of-the-art Marine Science Center, and student-centered research and education communities.

The University Of Tampa

The Tampa, Florida-based University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The private University’s degree in Marine Science Biology at Tampa provided by the biology department is one of the school’s defining degrees. The course of study for the program has exposure to biological and other marine-related issues. Learning and research are mixed with experience in the labs, trips, and even international travel courses. The University of Tampa, waterfront Marine Science Field Station is just twenty minutes off the campus at the Bayside in Marina. The station has wet labs and dry land and provides direct access to Tampa Bay. 

It is equipped with four powerful vessels, Grady White boats, and the BIOS II. The facility facilitates a Humber of marine science courses throughout the academic year. These courses include ecology, marine ecology and ichthyology, invertebrate zoology, and marine zoology.

Conclusion

More schools within the United States of America provide worldwide approved degrees in the United States of America. Institutions like the University of Hawaii at Hilo, The University of Miami, the Florida Institute of Technology, The University of Alabama, Stony Brook University, and others.

All you have to do is look through the programs at the respective University and the admission requirements to know the school that has your desired programs and if you are eligible for the available programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is The Average Salary Of A Marine Biologist?

Marine biologists in the United States of America start from $13,292 to $356,999 every year. The average salary per year is $64,345. Most marine biologists will earn $64,439 and the highest-paid marine biologists earn about $356,999. The salary estimated below does not include taxes.

2. What Careers Can A Marine Biologist Undertake?

Marine biologists can pursue careers as marine ecologists and dive operations managers, research assistants, Marine Biology technicians, environmental engineers, consultants in marine ecology, and Marine policy experts. There are more careers that one can pursue with the program. The type of career one can pursue heavily relies on what course units you specialized in and your majors. Gaining experience in the relevant fields will make you stand out from other job applicants and get you closer to the highest-paying jobs in the field. 

You should know that marine biologist careers are very competitive, and one should acquire all the skills needed to stand out.

3. Why is marine biology popular?

Marine biology is popular because it gives scholars a chance to understand the fascinating nature of marine life and animals. the sea has a lot to be discovered. This program gives you a glimpse into ocean life and more. Careers in marine biology are in high demand and the rates increase by 5 percent every year.