Marine Biology · Illinois

Marine Biology colleges in Illinois

CampusPin lists 81 U.S. colleges in Illinois that offer Marine Biology programs. Compare tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment in the table below, every figure links back to the institution's official IPEDS data.

Marine biology applies the life sciences to organisms in oceans, coastal waters, and estuaries, suiting students drawn to fieldwork, lab research, and ocean ecosystems.

Schools in Illinois that offer Marine Biology

Marine Biology programs in Illinois: by the numbers

A quick comparison of the 50 schools (of 81 total) listed above, drawn from each institution's published IPEDS data.

Schools listed

81

Public / private

10 / 40

Universities / 2-year

46 / 4

Cities represented

32

In-state tuition range

$3,552–$65,997

Median in-state tuition

$27,556

Lowest published in-state tuition

Lewis and Clark Community College

$3,552

Most selective

Northwestern University

7% acceptance

Largest by enrollment

Chamberlain University-Illinois

28,871 students

Figures reflect the schools currently listed and each institution's most recent reported data. Verify current tuition and admissions details with the school before applying.

What you'll study in a Marine Biology program

  • General and cellular biology with organic and general chemistry foundations
  • Chemical, physical, and geological oceanography of seawater systems
  • Marine ecology and the structure of coastal and ocean habitats
  • Ichthyology, marine mammalogy, and invertebrate zoology
  • Marine microbiology, botany, and the biology of plankton and algae
  • Field sampling, scientific diving, and shipboard data collection methods
  • Population dynamics, biodiversity assessment, and conservation biology
  • Statistics and quantitative analysis applied to ecological data
  • A capstone research project or fisheries and biotechnology internship

Where a Marine Biology degree can lead

  • Marine Biologist
  • Marine Ecologist
  • Fisheries Biologist
  • Aquatic Conservationist
  • Oceanographic Researcher
  • Marine Mammal Specialist

Typical pay: Early-career wages vary by employer, region, and experience (BLS, 2024 zoologists and wildlife biologists median $72,860).

Marine biology studies how microbes, plants, and animals live in oceans, coastal zones, and saltwater wetlands, and how those organisms respond to the physical and chemical conditions around them. Students learn the foundations of general biology, chemistry, and physics, then layer on ocean-specific subjects such as the chemistry and geology of seawater, marine botany, the study of fishes, and the biology of marine mammals. Coursework reaches across scales, from molecular and cellular processes and reproductive biology up to population dynamics, biodiversity, and the workings of whole habitats and ecosystems. Unlike general biology, the major keeps its focus on saltwater environments; unlike oceanography, which centers on the ocean's physical, chemical, and geological systems, marine biology keeps living organisms and their ecology at the center, while drawing on those earth-science tools to explain where and why species thrive.

Most entry-level marine biology roles begin with a bachelor's degree, and programs typically pair lecture courses with hands-on laboratory work, field sampling at the shore or aboard research vessels, and a senior research project or internship that produces original data. Independent research, graduate study, and university teaching usually call for a master's or doctoral degree, so students who want to lead their own investigations often continue past the bachelor's level. There is no single license to practice as a marine biologist, though specific tasks such as scientific diving, handling protected species, or working in regulated fisheries can require certifications or permits that vary by employer and state and should be verified. Graduates work in settings such as government wildlife and fisheries agencies, environmental consulting firms, aquariums and marine education centers, conservation nonprofits, biotechnology labs, and academic research institutions.

In federal data for the closely related occupation of zoologists and wildlife biologists, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a 2024 median wage of $72,860 and projects employment to grow about 1.6% from 2024 to 2034; a bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for that occupation. National figures are occupation-wide medians across all experience levels, not starting wages or graduate outcomes.

Marine Biology in other states

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Find more Marine Biology schools

Use CampusPin's filter-first search to narrow 81+ Marine Biology programs in Illinois by tuition, school size, acceptance rate, and campus setting.

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