Cheapest Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management Colleges

The University of Alaska Southeast stands out with the nation's most affordable Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management program at just $7,233 net cost, nearly half the price of the next cheapest option. This dramatic cost advantage reflects Alaska's commitment to training local students for the state's $6 billion fishing industry, which employs over 60,000 workers across commercial and sport fishing sectors. While most programs in this field range from $11,679 to $20,924 annually, several public universities offer strong value for students entering an industry where median earnings typically fall between $20,140 and $29,852. Utah State University combines affordability at $12,869 with strong academics, achieving a 57.3% graduation rate that surpasses many programs in the field. The concentration of affordable programs in states like Alaska, Arkansas, and Utah reflects regional workforce needs, as these areas depend heavily on aquaculture, fisheries management, and conservation efforts that require specialized training.

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	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%
19	Colorado State University-Fort Collins Fort Collins, Colorado	$20,332	$12,896	66.9%	90.8%
20	Texas A & M University-College Station College Station, Texas	$20,924	$13,099	83.8%	62.7%
21	Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science Paul Smiths, New York	$24,583	$32,049	53.3%	84.9%
22	Juniata College Huntingdon, Pennsylvania	$27,663	$56,402	68.9%	76.2%
23	University of Rio Grande Rio Grande, Ohio	$29,541	$20,560	32.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Alaska Southeast so much cheaper than other programs?

The University of Alaska Southeast offers the lowest net cost at $7,233, compared to $9,634 at the next cheapest school. Alaska residents pay just $6,960 in-state tuition, reflecting state subsidies designed to train workers for Alaska's massive fishing industry. The 62.66% acceptance rate and 31% graduation rate indicate the program focuses on accessibility over selectivity.

How do graduation rates vary among the most affordable programs?

Graduation rates span from 31% at University of Alaska Southeast to 83.7% at University of Washington-Seattle. Utah State University achieves 57.3% graduation rates while maintaining low costs at $12,869 net price. The University of Washington-Seattle combines high graduation rates with moderate affordability at $13,485, though it accepts only 47.52% of applicants.

Where do graduates typically earn the highest salaries?

Oregon State University-Cascades graduates earn $29,852, the highest among programs with available data. Northern Michigan graduates earn $28,019, while California State Polytechnic-Humboldt graduates make $29,685. These salary differences often reflect regional job markets, with Pacific Northwest and Great Lakes programs serving areas with strong commercial fishing and aquaculture industries.

Does student debt vary significantly among affordable programs?

Student debt ranges from $19,370 at Purdue University to $26,639 at Oregon State University-Cascades among schools reporting data. Lake Superior State graduates carry $22,500 in debt but earn $25,194 annually. Northern Michigan students graduate with $26,625 in debt but command higher starting salaries at $28,019, improving their debt-to-income ratio.

What acceptance rates can students expect at budget-friendly programs?

Most affordable programs maintain high acceptance rates, with California State Polytechnic-Humboldt accepting 98.18% of applicants and Utah State accepting 93.73%. The University of Washington-Seattle proves most selective at 47.52% acceptance despite moderate costs. Eastern Michigan University accepts 83.23% of students while maintaining reasonable costs at $17,084 net price.

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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.