by our College Data Analytics Team
[Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering](/majors/engineering/marine-engineering/naval-architecture-marine-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for naval architecture & marine engineering students.
What’s on this page:
The naval architecture & marine engineering program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the naval architecture & marine engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in naval architecture & marine engineering, no school beat United States Merchant Marine Academy this year. Located in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $895. Early-career naval architecture & marine engineering graduates make about $69,847. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Old Dominion University earned it the #2 place for naval architecture & marine engineering. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,780. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in naval architecture & marine engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $19,137 to complete the naval architecture & marine engineering program here. Early-career naval architecture & marine engineering graduates make about $87,749. Set against $19,137 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
University Of New Orleans is a great value for students pursuing a degree in naval architecture & marine engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Typical student debt for naval architecture & marine engineering graduates is $23,048. Soon after graduation, naval architecture & marine engineering degree recipients from University Of New Orleans generally make around $42,720. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Webb Institute earned it the #5 place for naval architecture & marine engineering. Located in the suburb of Glen Cove, Webb Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $63,214. Early-career naval architecture & marine engineering graduates make about $75,834. Webb Institute admits about 14% of applicants.
Maine Maritime Academy earned the #6 position for value in naval architecture & marine engineering this year. Maine Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the rural area of Castine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,158, compared with $31,102 for out-of-state students. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates of Maine Maritime Academy earn a median of $108,130 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Maine Maritime Academy admits about 54% of applicants.
Suny Maritime College landed the #7 spot for naval architecture & marine engineering value this year. Set in the city of Throggs Neck, Suny Maritime College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,589 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,159. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates of Suny Maritime College earn a median of $92,559 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy placed #8 among the best values for naval architecture & marine engineering. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $11,420, while out-of-state students pay about $23,722. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the naval architecture & marine engineering program here. Early-career naval architecture & marine engineering graduates make about $100,024. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The Landing School placed #9 among the best values for naval architecture & marine engineering. Set in the rural area of Arundel, The Landing School is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $29,037 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $65,849 ten years out.
Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. See all related rankings.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.