by our College Data Analytics Team
[Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering](/majors/engineering/marine-engineering/naval-architecture-marine-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value naval architecture & marine engineering schools.
What’s on this page:
The right naval architecture & marine engineering school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the naval architecture & marine engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.
United States Merchant Marine Academy earned the #1 spot for value among naval architecture & marine engineering schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $895 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, naval architecture & marine engineering degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy generally make around $69,847. The acceptance rate is 34%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for naval architecture & marine engineering. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for naval architecture & marine engineering graduates is $19,137. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $87,749 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,137 median debt. 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 #3 spot this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,008. Typical student debt for naval architecture & marine engineering graduates is $23,048. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a great value for students pursuing a degree in naval architecture & marine engineering, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,420, with out-of-state students paying around $23,722. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the naval architecture & marine engineering program here. Soon after graduation, naval architecture & marine engineering degree recipients from Massachusetts Maritime Academy generally make around $100,024. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Maritime College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value naval architecture & marine engineering schools. Located in the city of Throggs Neck, Suny Maritime College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,589, while out-of-state students pay about $19,159. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career naval architecture & marine engineering graduates make about $92,559. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Maine Maritime Academy placed #6 among the best values for naval architecture & marine engineering. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $31,102. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career naval architecture & marine engineering graduates make about $108,130. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Webb Institute placed #7 among the best values 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. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.