Best Value Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management Colleges

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt delivers the strongest return on investment for fishing and fisheries programs, with graduates earning $29,685 annually after paying just $13,167 net tuition. The $16,518 difference between earnings and costs stands out among the 20 programs analyzed. Public universities dominate the value equation across all price points, from Utah State's $12,869 net cost to Oregon State's main campus at $19,568. The Pacific Northwest leads the field with four institutions, reflecting the region's massive commercial fishing industry that generates over $5 billion annually in Washington, Oregon, and California. Graduation rates vary dramatically, from University of Rio Grande's 32.2% to University of Minnesota-Twin Cities' 84.8%, suggesting that program structure and student support differ significantly. The earnings range of $20,140 to $30,771 aligns with entry-level positions in fisheries management, aquaculture operations, and marine resource conservation. Private institutions like Juniata College charge substantially more at $27,663 net cost but don't necessarily produce higher-earning graduates.

Programs

$7,233 – $29,541

Net Price Range

$27,758

Avg. Program Earnings

57.0%

Avg. Graduation Rate

23 Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt Arcata, California	$13,167	$29,685	$7,913	46.6%	98.2%
2	University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point, Wisconsin	$13,726	$29,503	$8,834	56.0%	89.1%
3	Lake Superior State University Sault Ste Marie, Michigan	$14,368	$25,194	$14,266	56.9%	76.9%
4	Oregon State University-Cascades Campus Bend, Oregon	$17,722	$29,852	$12,594	51.2%	79.0%
5	Northern Michigan University Marquette, Michigan	$17,485	$28,019	$13,304	50.8%	70.6%
6	Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon	$19,568	$29,852	$13,494	70.6%	82.5%
7	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$26,063	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
8	Purdue University-Main Campus West Lafayette, Indiana	$13,945	$20,140	$9,992	83.1%	52.7%
9	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924	$28,500	$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
10	University of Rio Grande Rio Grande, Ohio	$29,541	$30,771	$20,560	32.2%
11	Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, New York	$24,583		$32,049	53.3%	84.9%
12	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485		$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
13	Utah State University Logan, Utah	$12,869		$9,228	57.3%	93.7%
14	University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island	$19,899		$16,408	71.0%	76.4%
15	Juniata College Huntingdon, Pennsylvania	$27,663		$56,402	68.9%	76.2%
16	SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill Cobleskill, New York	$17,980		$8,676	40.9%	84.0%
17	University of Alaska Fairbanks Fairbanks, Alaska	$9,634		$8,640	36.7%
18	Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, Michigan	$17,084		$15,510	45.5%	83.2%
19	University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho	$13,782		$8,816	60.9%	73.9%
20	Delaware State University Dover, Delaware	$15,745		$10,314	38.7%	54.9%
21	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, Colorado	$20,332		$12,896	66.9%	90.8%
22	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, Arkansas	$11,679		$9,019	39.7%	69.3%
23	University of Alaska Southeast Juneau, Alaska	$7,233		$6,960	31.0%	62.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide gap in graduation rates between fishing programs?

Graduation rates span from 32.2% at University of Rio Grande to 84.8% at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Large research universities like Minnesota and Purdue show rates above 80%, while smaller specialized programs often struggle with retention. The hands-on nature of fisheries education, including field work and internships, can create scheduling challenges that affect completion rates.

How do public university costs compare to private programs in this field?

Public institutions dominate the value market, with nine of the top 10 most affordable options being state schools. The average net cost for public programs ranges from $12,869 to $20,924, while private colleges like Juniata charge $27,663. Only University of Rio Grande among private schools shows earnings data, at $30,771 annually.

Where do fishing program graduates find the highest-paying jobs?

University of Rio Grande graduates earn the most at $30,771 annually, followed closely by Oregon State-Cascades at $29,852 and Humboldt State at $29,685. These top earnings typically come from positions with federal agencies like NOAA, state fish and wildlife departments, or private aquaculture companies. The $10,631 gap between highest and lowest earnings reflects regional job markets and career paths.

Does acceptance rate indicate program competitiveness in fisheries?

Most fishing programs accept 70-98% of applicants, with Humboldt State accepting 98.18% and Utah State at 93.73%. The exceptions are University of Washington-Seattle at 47.52% and Purdue at 52.70%, both highly selective research universities. High acceptance rates reflect the specialized nature of the field rather than lack of rigor.

What debt levels should students expect from fisheries programs?

Available debt data shows graduates owing between $19,370 at Purdue and $26,639 at Oregon State programs. Lake Superior State graduates carry $22,500 in debt while earning $25,194 annually, creating a manageable debt-to-income ratio. Public university graduates generally face lower debt burdens than their peers in other environmental science fields.

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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.