2023 Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography Students

STUDENTS

College often is a profoundly significant period in one's life; it's an occasion for personal progress and maturation. Undergrads continue to figure out who they are as people and develop many of the crucial skills to become a successful member of society. But learning goes beyond a classroom - the campus dialogue, the funny story gained from a tenured instructor, the exposure to a different view. Therefore, finding a diverse college vastly enhances what one gains from the time in college.

Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography is a less ethnically diverse focus than average*. 73% of the United States' Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography majors are white students, followed by latino students (10%), students of other races**(9%), and asian students (4%). The most racially diverse college* in the top 100 is University of California-Los Angeles located in Los Angeles, CA.

In addition, Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography significatly skews female, with practically seven tenths of students majoring in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography identifying as women. The most gender balanced school in the top 100 is Brigham Young University-Hawaii in Laie, HI.

Another important type of diversity is income diversity. Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography is around the middle of the pack for socioeconomic diversity (54th percentile). 28% of its majors come from homes that bring in over $110,000 per year, 16% are from families making between $48,000 and $75,000 a year, and 27% grew up in low income families. Northwest Missouri State University is the most economically diverse institution in the top 100.

Considering each type of diversity, overall HI is the most diverse state for Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography. The Far West is the most diverse region, and the Pacific West Conference is the most diverse conference.

* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on Simpson's Diversity Index
** other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

Diversity Statistics

Racial Diversity

• Asian: 4%

• Black: 4%

• Latino: 10%

• White: 73%

• Other: 9%

  Gender Diversity

• Male: 29%

• Female: 71%

  Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

• Under 30k: 27%

• 30k - 48k: 15%

• 48k - 75k: 16%

• 75k - 110k: 14%

• Over 110k: 28%

  Geographic Diversity

• In State: 62%

• Out of State: 32%

• International: 6%