Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management Colleges Under $20,000

Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management programs span a remarkable cost spectrum, with University of Alaska Southeast offering the most affordable option at just $7,233 net price while Oregon State University-Cascades reaches $17,722. Alaska dominates the low-cost end with two programs under $10,000, reflecting the state's deep connection to commercial fishing industries that employ over 58,000 workers annually. The earnings potential varies significantly across these 18 programs, ranging from $20,140 to $29,852, with Pacific Northwest schools like Cal Poly Humboldt and Oregon State-Cascades showing the highest graduate earnings. Public universities control this field entirely, providing accessible pathways into fisheries management, aquaculture, and marine resource conservation careers that support America's $200 billion seafood industry.

Programs

$7,233 – $19,899

Net Price Range

$27,289

Avg. Program Earnings

55.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

18 Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Alaska Southeast Juneau, Alaska	$7,233	$6,960	31.0%	62.7%
2	University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, Alaska	$9,634	$8,640	36.7%
3	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas	$11,679	$9,019	39.7%	69.3%
4	Utah State University Logan, Utah	$12,869	$9,228	57.3%	93.7%
5	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata, California	$13,167	$7,913	46.6%	98.2%
6	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
7	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, Wisconsin	$13,726	$8,834	56.0%	89.1%
8	University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho	$13,782	$8,816	60.9%	73.9%
9	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
10	Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, Michigan	$14,368	$14,266	56.9%	76.9%
11	Delaware State University Dover, Delaware	$15,745	$10,314	38.7%	54.9%
12	Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan	$17,084	$15,510	45.5%	83.2%
13	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
14	Northern Michigan University Marquette, Michigan	$17,485	$13,304	50.8%	70.6%
15	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, Oregon	$17,722	$12,594	51.2%	79.0%
16	SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, New York	$17,980	$8,676	40.9%	84.0%
17	Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon	$19,568	$13,494	70.6%	82.5%
18	University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island	$19,899	$16,408	71.0%	76.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

University of Alaska Southeast costs $7,233 while Oregon State University-Cascades reaches $17,722, creating a $10,489 gap. Alaska's lower operational costs and state subsidies for resource-based programs drive down prices. Geographic location also matters since northern schools often receive additional funding for programs tied to local industries. In-state students see even bigger savings, with Alaska Southeast charging just $6,960 for residents.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in this field?

The data reveals an interesting pattern where mid-priced programs often outperform both ends of the cost spectrum. University of Washington achieves an 83.7% graduation rate at $13,485, while University of Minnesota hits 84.8% at $17,139. Meanwhile, the cheapest option at Alaska Southeast shows just 31% graduation rates. Purdue stands out with 83.1% graduation rates at a reasonable $13,945 net price.

Where do graduates earn the most money after completing these programs?

Oregon State University-Cascades leads with $29,852 average earnings, followed closely by Cal Poly Humboldt at $29,685. Both Pacific coast schools benefit from proximity to major fishing ports and aquaculture operations. The lowest earnings come from Purdue at $20,140, despite its strong overall reputation. Northern Michigan graduates earn $28,019, reflecting the Great Lakes commercial fishing industry's solid wages.

Is geographic location a major factor in program affordability?

Alaska clearly offers the most affordable options with both University of Alaska Southeast ($7,233) and University of Alaska Fairbanks ($9,634) under $10,000. Western states dominate the middle range, while Midwestern schools like Purdue and Wisconsin-Stevens Point cluster around $13,000-14,000. Only 15 programs nationwide meet the under-$20,000 threshold, making this a relatively small field with limited budget-friendly choices.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.