1,490
Graduates Per Year
$44K
Average Salary
#178
Most Popular Major
Degree Stats
Popular
1,490
13% NATIONAL AVG
Diplomas Received Last Year
79
5% NATIONAL AVG
Colleges Offering this Degree
Most Popular Degrees
178
Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
1,490
179
Human Biology
1,446
Most Widely Offered Degrees
35
/
1.852
Worse
Better
Top 100 Colleges offering this degree
Degree Granting Schools that are Public
Most Graduates
By Region
Southeast
University of North Carolina Wilmington
By State
Florida
Eckerd College
By Conference
Southeastern Conference
The University of Alabama
By School
University of Alaska Fairbanks
If you think life as a marine biologist, oceanographer, or fish and wildlife biologist sounds interesting, then a degree in marine biology and biological oceanography may just be for you. You could even become the marine biologist who saves centuries old coral bodies!
Marine biology and biological oceanography is the 178th most popular degree in America, with 1,490 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #179 Human Biology.
The degree is offered at a total of 79 colleges across the nation, and is the 206th most widely offered degree. It is only offered at 6% of the Top 100 Best Collegesin America.
It is also worth noting that a smidgeon over 5 out of 8 colleges offering marine biology and biological oceanography are public making it a quite accessible field.
The southeast produces the most marine biology and biological oceanography graduates, largely led by University of North Carolina Wilmington, while it’s the Southeastern Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, Florida ranks highest, with particular help from Eckerd Collegeand The University of Tampa.
All that being said, no individual school produces more marine biology and biological oceanography graduates than University of Alaska Fairbanks, which graduated 125 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study marine biology and biological oceanography). More students studied marine biology and biological oceanography as a percentage of total students at University of Maine at Machiasthan any other college.
Good luck on your college search and we hope you enjoy Authority's 2022 official Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography list. Some of our picks may surprise you!
Good luck finding the right college for you. We hope you enjoy Authority's 2022 official Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography list. Some of our picks may surprise you!
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#1 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
University of California-San Diego is a very large public university located in La Jolla, CA ranked 66thin America. It has a total of 31,840 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting 31.48% of applicants. University of California-San Diego offers 228 different majors and is best known for its biological and biomedical sciences, global studies, and cognitive science programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With a tuition cost of $11,442 for students from California and $41,196 for those from out-of-state, University of California-San Diego is rather high-priced. 78.44% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $59,900 per year, which is 44% above the national median.
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La Jolla, CA
www.ucsd.edu
A+
Rating
31%
Acceptance
39,811
Students
# 6
Ranking
$41,196
Tuition
#2 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
University of Miami is a large private university located in Coral Gables, FL ranked 59thin the US. It has a total of 12,351 full-time undergraduate students and is relatively competitive, accepting barely south of 2/7 of applicants. University of Miami offers 309 different majors and is best known for its information technology administration and management, marine biology and biological oceanography, and broadcast journalism programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively). With a tuition cost of $50,400 per year, University of Miami is extremely expensive. 74.98% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, joining the labor market. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $60,100 per year, which is 45% over the national median.
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Coral Gables, FL
www.miami.edu/
A+
Rating
27%
Acceptance
19,618
Students
# 55
Ranking
$50,400
Tuition
#3 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
University of North Carolina Wilmington is a large public institution located in Wilmington, NC ranked 10thin North Carolina. It has a total of 16,615 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 65.45% acceptance rate. University of North Carolina Wilmington offers 104 different majors and is best known for its marine biology and biological oceanography, recreational therapy, and middle school education and teaching programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 4th, and 28th respectively). With a tuition cost of $4,443 for students from North Carolina and $18,508 for those from out-of-state, University of North Carolina Wilmington is moderately priced. 66.36% of students graduate moving on to the next stage of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $41,600 per year, which is 0% above the national median.
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Wilmington, NC
www.uncw.edu
B
Rating
65%
Acceptance
19,400
Students
# 152
Ranking
$18,508
Tuition
#4 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Texas A & M University-College Station is a very large public university located in College Station, TX ranked 124thin the nation. It has a total of 56,527 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 57.79% of applicants. Texas A & M University-College Station offers 409 different majors and is best known for its construction engineering technology, fitness administration, and petroleum engineering programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With a tuition cost of $8,532 for students from Texas and $34,981 for those from out-of-state, Texas A & M University-College Station is somewhat moderately costly. 76.91% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, joining the labor market. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $58,000 per year, which is 40% over the national median.
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College Station, TX
https://www.tamu.edu
A
Rating
58%
Acceptance
73,267
Students
# 23
Ranking
$34,981
Tuition
#5 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Eckerd College is a small private liberal arts college located in Saint Petersburg, FL ranked 21stin Florida. It has a total of 2,078 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 67.44% of applicants. Eckerd College offers 55 different majors and is best known for its marine biology and biological oceanography, developmental and child psychology, and environmental studies programs (nationally ranked 5th, 6th, and 38th respectively). With a tuition cost of $45,452 per year, Eckerd College is exceptionally costly. 47.67% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, joining the labor force. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $42,200 per year, which is 2% over the national median.
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Saint Petersburg, FL
https://www.eckerd.edu
B
Rating
67%
Acceptance
2,078
Students
# 359
Ranking
$45,452
Tuition
#6 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Northeastern University is a very large private university located in Boston, MA ranked 36thin America. It has a total of 18,753 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting 18.05% of applicants. Northeastern University offers 186 different majors and is best known for its human services, physical therapy, and data modeling and database administration programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 2nd respectively). With a tuition cost of $52,420 per year, Northeastern University is very costly. 73.11% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $67,400 per year, which is 62% over the national median.
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Boston, MA
www.northeastern.edu
A+
Rating
18%
Acceptance
28,374
Students
# 35
Ranking
$52,420
Tuition
#7 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
University of California-Santa Cruz is a large public university located in Santa Cruz, CA ranked 175thin the United States. It has a total of 18,774 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 51.31% of applicants. University of California-Santa Cruz offers 155 different majors and is best known for its comparative literature, womens studies, and hispanic american studies programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 2nd respectively). With a tuition cost of $11,442 for in-state students and $41,196 for those from out-of-state, University of California-Santa Cruz is quite high-priced. 72.4% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $46,900 per year, which is 13% over the national median.
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Santa Cruz, CA
www.ucsc.edu/
A
Rating
51%
Acceptance
20,839
Students
# 47
Ranking
$41,196
Tuition
#8 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Boston University is a very large private university located in Boston, MA ranked 35thin the US. It has a total of 23,235 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, accepting 18.94% of applicants. Boston University offers 433 different majors and is best known for its counseling psychology, athletic training, and archeology programs, which are all nationally ranked 2nd. With a tuition cost of $54,720 per year, Boston University is exceptionally pricey. 77.85% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $65,300 per year, which is 57% greater than the national median.
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Boston, MA
www.bu.edu
A+
Rating
19%
Acceptance
42,779
Students
# 34
Ranking
$54,720
Tuition
#9 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
University of Hawaii at Manoa is a large public university located in Honolulu, HI ranked 262ndin America. It has a total of 15,221 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 58.47% of applicants. University of Hawaii at Manoa offers 232 different majors and is best known for its japanese language and literature, native american studies, and teaching english as a second language programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 2nd respectively). With a tuition cost of $11,304 for in-state students and $33,336 for those from out-of-state, University of Hawaii at Manoa is reasonably costly. 58.75% of students graduate beginning the next chapter of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $45,800 per year, which is 10% over the national median.
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Honolulu, HI
https://manoa.hawaii.edu/
A-
Rating
58%
Acceptance
20,653
Students
# 70
Ranking
$33,336
Tuition
#10 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
The University of Tampa is a mid-sized private institution located in Tampa, FL ranked 289thin the US. It has a total of 9,140 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 44.75% of applicants. The University of Tampa offers 75 different majors and is best known for its entrepreneurship, marine biology and biological oceanography, and computer and information systems security programs (nationally ranked 7th, 10th, and 12th respectively). With a tuition cost of $27,990 per year, The University of Tampa is reasonably pricey. 47.09% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, entering the labor force. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $48,600 per year, which is 17% greater than the national median.
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Tampa, FL
www.ut.edu
A-
Rating
45%
Acceptance
10,428
Students
# 206
Ranking
$27,990
Tuition
#11 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
University of South Carolina-Columbia is a very large public university located in Columbia, SC ranked 267thin the nation. It has a total of 28,022 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 68.65% of applicants. University of South Carolina-Columbia offers 300 different majors and is best known for its retailing and retail operations, non profit management, and exercise physiology programs (nationally ranked 1st, 1st, and 4th respectively). With a tuition cost of $12,288 for students from South Carolina and $33,528 for those from out-of-state, University of South Carolina-Columbia is reasonably expensive. 65.2% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $44,900 per year, which is 8% above the national median.
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Columbia, SC
www.sc.edu/
A-
Rating
69%
Acceptance
37,510
Students
# 72
Ranking
$33,528
Tuition
#12 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
University of California-Los Angeles is a very large public university located in Los Angeles, CA ranked 33rdin the US. It has a total of 33,703 full-time undergraduate students and is quite competitive, with a 12.32% acceptance rate. University of California-Los Angeles offers 333 different majors and is best known for its psychology, sociology, and political science and government programs, which are all nationally ranked 1st. With a tuition cost of $11,442 for students from California and $41,196 for those from out-of-state, University of California-Los Angeles is rather high-priced. 80.62% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $60,700 per year, which is 46% over the national median.
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Los Angeles, CA
www.ucla.edu/
A+
Rating
12%
Acceptance
47,103
Students
# 1
Ranking
$41,196
Tuition
#13 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
University of Delaware is a very large public university located in Newark, DE ranked 159thin the US. It has a total of 21,190 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 71.36% of applicants. University of Delaware offers 235 different majors and is best known for its educational administration and supervision, pre veterinary studies, and history teacher education programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively). With a tuition cost of $12,730 for students from Delaware and $34,160 for those from out-of-state, University of Delaware is reasonably expensive. 78.43% of students graduate beginning the next stage of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $57,000 per year, which is 37% above the national median.
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Newark, DE
www.udel.edu/
A
Rating
71%
Acceptance
25,885
Students
# 38
Ranking
$34,160
Tuition
#14 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Stony Brook University is a very large public university located in Stony Brook, NY ranked 151stin the nation. It has a total of 20,506 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 44.15% of applicants. Stony Brook University offers 263 different majors and is best known for its applied mathematics, respiratory care therapy, and pharmacology and toxicology programs (nationally ranked 1st, 4th, and 6th respectively). With a tuition cost of $7,070 for students from New York and $24,740 for those from out-of-state, Stony Brook University is reasonably costly. 67.59% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, entering the labor force. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $57,600 per year, which is 39% above the national median.
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Stony Brook, NY
https://www.stonybrook.edu
A
Rating
44%
Acceptance
30,458
Students
# 35
Ranking
$24,740
Tuition
#15 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
University of Rhode Island is a large public university located in Kingston, RI ranked 6thin Rhode Island. It has a total of 17,179 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 74.77% of applicants. University of Rhode Island offers 187 different majors and is best known for its german language and literature, fishing and fisheries sciences and management, and clinical nutrition services programs (nationally ranked 4th, 5th, and 6th respectively). With a tuition cost of $12,590 for students from Rhode Island and $29,710 for those from out-of-state, University of Rhode Island is reasonably costly. 65.28% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $52,900 per year, which is 27% over the national median.
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Kingston, RI
web.uri.edu/
B+
Rating
75%
Acceptance
20,628
Students
# 108
Ranking
$29,710
Tuition
#16 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Roger Williams University is a small private college located in Bristol, RI ranked 7thin Rhode Island. It has a total of 5,033 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, accepting a tad under six sevenths of applicants. Roger Williams University offers 109 different majors and is best known for its legal support services, construction management, and marine biology and biological oceanography programs (nationally ranked 4th, 13th, and 16th respectively). With a tuition cost of $36,648 per year, Roger Williams University is rather high-priced. 61.2% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $50,500 per year, which is 22% over the national median.
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Bristol, RI
https://www.rwu.edu
B
Rating
85%
Acceptance
5,411
Students
# 318
Ranking
$36,648
Tuition
#17 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
The University of West Florida is a large public college located in Pensacola, FL ranked 15thin Florida. It has a total of 11,932 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting 31% of applicants. The University of West Florida offers 93 different majors and is best known for its legal support services, trade and industrial teacher education, and community health services programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 5th, and 10th respectively). With a tuition cost of $4,319 for students from Florida and $16,587 for those from out-of-state, The University of West Florida is moderately priced. 43.76% of students graduate ready to the next chapter of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $38,900 per year, which is 6% less than the national median.
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Pensacola, FL
uwf.edu
B+
Rating
31%
Acceptance
16,122
Students
# 119
Ranking
$16,587
Tuition
#18 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Stockton University is a mid-sized public liberal arts college located in Galloway, NJ ranked 17thin New Jersey. It has a total of 10,192 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 76.32% of applicants. Stockton University offers 54 different majors and is best known for its criminology, marine biology and biological oceanography, and sustainability studies programs (nationally ranked 9th, 18th, and 23rd respectively). With a tuition cost of $12,005 for students from New Jersey and $19,293 for those from out-of-state, Stockton University is reasonably priced. 71.01% of students graduate starting the next stage of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $47,500 per year, which is 14% greater than the national median.
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Galloway, NJ
www.stockton.edu
B-
Rating
76%
Acceptance
11,457
Students
# 179
Ranking
$19,293
Tuition
#19 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
College of Charleston is a large public institution located in Charleston, SC ranked 9thin South Carolina. It has a total of 10,756 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting slightly over seven out of every nine applicants. College of Charleston offers 96 different majors and is best known for its latin american and caribbean studies, fine and studio arts management, and archeology programs (nationally ranked 4th, 5th, and 16th respectively). With a tuition cost of $70 per year, College of Charleston is quite low-priced. 62.39% of students graduate starting the next phase of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $40,700 per year, which is 2% under the national median.
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Charleston, SC
www.cofc.edu
C+
Rating
78%
Acceptance
12,907
Students
# 188
Ranking
$70
Tuition
#20 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Rutgers University-New Brunswick is a very large public university located in New Brunswick, NJ ranked 144thin the nation. It has a total of 40,836 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting barely north of three out of every five applicants. Rutgers University-New Brunswick offers 374 different majors and is best known for its human resources, social work, and logistics materials and supply chain management programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 2nd, and 3rd respectively). With a tuition cost of $12,230 for in-state students and $29,012 for those from out-of-state, Rutgers University-New Brunswick is reasonably high-priced. 72.03% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $57,900 per year, which is 39% over the national median.
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New Brunswick, NJ
https://newbrunswick.rutgers.edu
A
Rating
61%
Acceptance
57,162
Students
# 31
Ranking
$29,012
Tuition
#21 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
University of Connecticut is a very large public university located in Storrs, CT ranked 130thin the United States. It has a total of 20,479 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting a smidgeon below half of applicants. University of Connecticut offers 376 different majors and is best known for its allied health and medical assisting services, actuarial science, and history teacher education programs (nationally ranked 2nd, 4th, and 4th respectively). With a tuition cost of $13,798 for students from Connecticut and $36,466 for those from out-of-state, University of Connecticut is quite high-priced. 72.61% of students graduate moving on to the next phase of their lives, working. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $58,400 per year, which is 41% over the national median.
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Storrs, CT
uconn.edu/
A
Rating
49%
Acceptance
29,683
Students
# 25
Ranking
$36,466
Tuition
#22 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
California State University-Long Beach is a very large public college located in Long Beach, CA ranked 240thin the nation. It has a total of 34,674 full-time undergraduate students and is somewhat competitive, accepting 39.27% of applicants. California State University-Long Beach offers 180 different majors and is best known for its human sciences, health and fitness, and computer engineering technologies programs (nationally ranked 1st, 3rd, and 5th respectively). With a tuition cost of $5,742 for in-state students and $17,622 for those from out-of-state, California State University-Long Beach is moderately priced. 73.68% of students graduate beginning the next phase of their lives, employment. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $48,100 per year, which is 16% over the national median.
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Long Beach, CA
www.csulb.edu
A-
Rating
39%
Acceptance
41,344
Students
# 65
Ranking
$17,622
Tuition
#23 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Florida Southern College is a small private college located in Lakeland, FL ranked 11thin Florida. It has a total of 3,011 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, with a 52.13% acceptance rate. Florida Southern College offers 70 different majors and is best known for its organizational communication, musical theatre, and digital arts programs (nationally ranked 3rd, 17th, and 18th respectively). With a tuition cost of $36,860 per year, Florida Southern College is quite costly. 60.25% of students graduate ready to the next stage of their lives, entering the labor market. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $41,400 per year, which is 0% below the national median.
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Lakeland, FL
www.flsouthern.edu
B+
Rating
52%
Acceptance
3,688
Students
# 239
Ranking
$36,860
Tuition
#24 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
Rollins College is a small private college located in Winter Park, FL ranked 218thin the nation. It has a total of 2,789 full-time undergraduate students and is not very competitive, accepting 58.34% of applicants. Rollins College offers 57 different majors and is best known for its business administration and management, international business, and marine biology and biological oceanography programs (nationally ranked 21st, 23rd, and 24th respectively). With a tuition cost of $51,700 per year, Rollins College is extremely high-priced. 68.64% of students graduate starting the next chapter of their lives, entering the labor market. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $45,700 per year, which is 10% above the national median.
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Winter Park, FL
www.rollins.edu
A
Rating
58%
Acceptance
3,465
Students
# 159
Ranking
$51,700
Tuition
#25 Best Colleges for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
University of New Haven is a mid-sized private institution located in West Haven, CT ranked 11thin Connecticut. It has a total of 5,376 full-time undergraduate students and is not competitive, with a 82.99% acceptance rate. University of New Haven offers 159 different majors and is best known for its fire protection, criminal justice, and drawing programs (nationally ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively). With a tuition cost of $39,000 per year, University of New Haven is rather expensive. 59.34% of students graduate moving on to the next chapter of their lives, entering the workforce. After graduation, alumni go on to earn about $52,100 per year, which is 25% greater than the national median.
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West Haven, CT
www.newhaven.edu
B
Rating
83%
Acceptance
7,634
Students
# 332
Ranking
$39,000
Tuition