Is a marine science degree worth it?

For many, becoming a marine biologist or scientist is a childhood dream that stems from the wonder the ocean inspires. Today, that dream carries urgent purpose as our oceans face unprecedented threats from climate change, pollution, habitat loss and overfishing, making the work of both marine biologists and scientists more critical than ever.

That dream, to study, care for and protect the ocean and the life within it is attainable. Some may want to pursue a degree in either marine science or marine biology when it’s time to go to college, but there is an additional path.

ASU offers degree programs that allow students to study at the intersection of marine biology and marine science, where you can learn in-depth about ocean science, ecosystems and humanity’s relationship with the ocean.

Studying marine biology and science

Marine biology degrees teach students quantitative approaches to enhance ocean health and coastal resilience, which are critical to protecting communities, food systems and biodiversity worldwide. Students will be ready to work in fields such as oceanography, marine biology and marine education.

Meanwhile, marine science degrees equip students with the power to interpret visual data to inform solutions, predict ocean system behaviors and communicate research findings and their value to stakeholders working to address climate change, resource management and environmental sustainability.

At ASU, programs like the Bachelor of Science in ocean futures or the concentration in coastal and marine science — offered both online and in-person — prepare learners for high-demand roles in conservation, environmental science, fisheries, marine research, natural resource management and marine biology. You’ll be positioned to protect marine systems the world needs, but also learn about the worlds of marine science and biology to best support a high impact career.

What sets ASU apart

These ocean-related programs at ASU offer a distinctive approach that goes beyond traditional marine biology and science. The curriculum includes courses on ocean conservation, ocean communities, ocean stewardship and partnerships in addition to marine biology and ocean science, while integrating intergenerational and Indigenous values in developing blue economies and community-based stewardship. Each program recognizes that protecting our oceans requires collaboration across communities, stakeholders and cultures, not just scientific knowledge alone.

Students gain access to research and teaching facilities in both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, including the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and the Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science in Hawai'i. For online students unable to travel, the program integrates immersive technology including Dreamscape Learn, with simulations placing students in realistic environments like an Arctic ice field, a coral reef in Hawai'i and a deep-sea setting.

Beyond the unique curriculum and research access, ASU provides comprehensive support to help students translate their education into careers. Research opportunities throughout the program can transition directly into marine biology positions, and the School of Ocean Futures offers individualized career advising where students and alumni can develop job search strategies and receive guidance on employment-related topics. This foundation is built through core courses that blend scientific rigor with practical application.

Courses within these ocean futures programs that support marine science and biology goals include:

• SEA 101: Ocean Futures
  Learn about the complex relationship between ecosystems on land and in the water. Discover the importance of ocean impacts, sustainable solutions to global problems and careers within the marine science field.
• SEA 201: Ocean Conservation
  Develop an understanding of the conflicts between humanity and the ocean. Learn about the social, economic, political, cultural and institutional forces that shape humanity’s interactions with the ocean.
• STP 231: Statistics for Life Science
  Learn the fundamentals of marine science research, including integral concepts and applications such as the data display and summary, interval estimations, hypothesis testing, correlation and regression.

Marine biology and science jobs

The blue economy is expanding steadily and is currently expected to be valued at an estimated $2.5 trillion annually, according to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. With this expected growth, it’s becoming increasingly critical to our climate and the planet’s habitability to ensure everyone who wants to save the ocean has access to a marine biology degree. That’s one part of ASU’s mission in providing its degrees like the ocean futures programs online.

Once you've earned your degree, there's a broad range of careers and industries you can pursue to use your expertise and make an impact. In these roles, your work can directly influence how we understand, protect and sustain ocean systems for future generations.

Some career paths include:

• Biological Scientist: Conduct research and experiments to increase knowledge about living organisms and their relationships to the environment. A marine biology degree provides essential training in laboratory techniques, data analysis and scientific methodology needed for diverse research applications.
  • Average annual salary: $93,330
  • Projected +1.2% job growth
• Biologist: Study organisms and their relationship to their environment, working in fields from ecology to genetics. Biology graduates apply their understanding of life systems, research methods and analytical skills to investigate everything from cellular processes to ecosystem dynamics.
  • Average annual salary: $93,330
  • Projected +1.2% job growth
• Data Scientist: Analyze complex biological and health data to extract insights and drive decision-making. Biology graduates transition into this role by combining their scientific training with statistical analysis and programming to interpret large datasets in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and research.
  • Average annual salary: $112,590
  • Projected +33.5% job growth
• Environmental Analyst: Assess environmental conditions and recommend solutions to minimize pollution and environmental hazards. Marine biology degree holders are well-suited for this work through their knowledge of ecosystems, environmental chemistry and impact assessment methods.
  • Average annual salary: $67,950
  • Projected +3.4% job growth
• Environmental Specialist: Develop and implement programs to protect environmental quality and ensure regulatory compliance. Marine science graduates apply their understanding of ecological systems and environmental science to conservation planning, site assessments and sustainability initiatives.
  • Average annual salary: $49,490
  • Projected +4.0% job growth
• Fish and Wildlife Biologist: Study and manage fish, wildlife and their habitats to support conservation efforts. A biology degree provides the foundation in ecology, animal behavior and population dynamics essential for wildlife management and species protection.
  • Average annual salary: $72,860
  • Projected +1.6% job growth
• Hydrogeologist: Investigate the distribution and movement of groundwater and surface water systems. Biology graduates with coursework in environmental science and chemistry can apply their understanding of natural systems to water resource management and contamination assessment.
  • Average annual salary: $161,180
  • Projected +3.7% job growth
• Life Scientist: Conduct research on living organisms across various specializations, from microbiology to botany. The most direct path is a biology degree that combines laboratory research, field studies, and applications in healthcare, agriculture and biotechnology.
  • Average annual salary: $87,800
  • Projected +3.7% job growth
• Sustainability Specialist: Develop and implement strategies to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable practices in organizations. Marine science graduates leverage their ecological knowledge and systems thinking to drive environmental stewardship, resource efficiency and corporate sustainability programs.
  • Average annual salary: $81,270
  • Projected +3.0% job growth

* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).

See more marine science jobs.

Best marine biology colleges

The best marine biology college is the one that works for you. Whether you live on the coast or nowhere near it, ASU offers online programs that bring the marine biology and science curriculum to you.

You can build expertise for blue economy careers, which are increasingly vital to environmental sustainability and economic resilience worldwide without relocating to Arizona or a coastline. You can take all your courses right from your home or anywhere that fits in your life.

ASU’s fully online marine biology and science programs include:

• Ocean Futures, BS
• Ocean Futures (Coastal and Marine Science), BS
• Coastal and Marine Science and Management, MS

With growing career opportunities and the chance to make a meaningful impact on the planet and our future, a marine biology and science degree offers both professional potential and personal fulfillment.

That childhood fascination with the ocean doesn’t have to remain a dream, it can become your career, one that is immensely important in a time where the ocean faces critical threats. With the right degree and real research experience, a career in marine biology is within reach.