Only 40 colleges in the country offer Marine Sciences, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $52,667.
Marine Sciences is a focused area of study within Interdisciplinary Studies. Graduates typically earn around $52,667 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 40 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 436 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. The focus is on writing, analysis, and communication that transfer across industries.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$27,337
Median Earnings · 4yr
$52,667
Colleges Offering
40
Graduates / Year
436
Avg Net Price / yr
$15,479
How Much Do Marine Sciences Graduates Earn?
Marine Sciences graduates earn $52,667 four years out, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,959 and $68,489. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $27,337 climbs to $52,667 by year four.
$27,337
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$52,667
4-Year National Median
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
$53,037
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Marine Sciences graduates. Career path divergence explains most of the range. Law, consulting, and tech-adjacent roles pull the top end up; writing, education, and nonprofit roles tend to sit near the bottom.
$35,95925th pct.
$52,667Median
$68,48975th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $52,667 and an estimated $61,916 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.7 years.
Based on outcomes from 17 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 436 students who complete Marine Sciences programs each year, the majority (62%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
62%21%
Bachelor's62%
Master's21%
Associate's8%
What Can You Do With a Marine Sciences Degree?
Marine Sciences connects to 4 occupations in the job market. Natural Sciences Managers leads at $167,220/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.
Hire, supervise, or evaluate engineers, technicians, researchers, or other staff.
Design or coordinate successive phases of problem analysis, solution proposals, or testing.
Plan or direct research, development, or production activities.
Reading ComprehensionSpeakingScienceCritical ThinkingComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.
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.
Conduct research or perform investigation for the purpose of identifying, abating, or eliminating sources of pollutants or hazards that affect either the environment or public health. Using knowledge of various scientific disciplines, may collect, synthesize, study, report, and recommend action based on data derived from measurements or observations of air, food, soil, water, and other sources.
Communicate scientific or technical information to the public, organizations, or internal audiences through oral briefings, written documents, workshops, conferences, training sessions, or public hearings.
Monitor effects of pollution or land degradation and recommend means of prevention or control.
Collect, synthesize, analyze, manage, and report environmental data, such as pollution emission measurements, atmospheric monitoring measurements, meteorological or mineralogical information, or soil or water samples.
Complex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeaking
Day-to-day responsibilities
Study the origins, behavior, diseases, genetics, and life processes of animals and wildlife. May specialize in wildlife research and management. May collect and analyze biological data to determine the environmental effects of present and potential use of land and water habitats.
Develop, or make recommendations on, management systems and plans for wildlife populations and habitat, consulting with stakeholders and the public at large to explore options.
Inventory or estimate plant and wildlife populations.
Inform and respond to public regarding wildlife and conservation issues, such as plant identification, hunting ordinances, and nuisance wildlife.
Top Colleges for Marine Sciences
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Marine Sciences students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Marine Sciences graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Marine Sciences is one of 39 specializations within Interdisciplinary Studies. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Marine Sciences program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Marine Sciences shows 2 measurable strengths and 4 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $27,337 at graduation to $52,667 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Strong hiring volumeRelated occupations generate more than 20,400 job openings per year combined, creating consistent demand for graduates.
CONS
Modest median earningsFour-year median of $52,667 lags STEM and business fields, affecting ROI at higher-cost programs.
Advanced degree often expectedTop roles in this field typically expect a master's degree or higher. A bachelor's may be a starting point rather than a terminal credential for the most competitive positions.
High earnings varianceGap between 25th ($35,959) and 75th ($68,489) percentile is wide. Where you land depends heavily on employer, role, and location.
Limited program availabilityOnly 40 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Marine Sciences graduates earn a national median of $52,667 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,959 and $68,489. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Marine Sciences degree?
One year after graduation, Marine Sciences degree holders earn a median of $27,337. That climbs to $52,667 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Marine Sciences degree?
Marine Sciences degree holders pursue careers including Natural Sciences Managers, which pays a median of $167,220/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Marine Sciences program take?
A Marine Sciences bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Marine Sciences?
40 colleges and universities in the United States offer Marine Sciences programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Marine Sciences degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $52,667 and an average net price of roughly $15,479/yr, a Marine Sciences degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Marine Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies?
Marine Sciences is a focused concentration within the broader Interdisciplinary Studies field. The Interdisciplinary Studies major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Marine Sciences-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Marine Sciences graduates?
Employers hiring Marine Sciences graduates consistently prioritize writing, critical analysis, and cross-cultural communication. Employers value the ability to synthesize complex information clearly, skills that transfer into communications, law, consulting, and content roles.
What is the job outlook for Marine Sciences graduates?
The job outlook for Marine Sciences graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +3.2% job growth over the next 10 years. Environmental Scientist is among the strongest-growth roles at +4.4%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Interdisciplinary Studies Programs
Other programs in Interdisciplinary Studies. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
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