by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marine Engineering](/majors/engineering/marine-engineering/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for marine engineering students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marine engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in marine engineering, no school beat United States Merchant Marine Academy this year. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Kings Point. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $895. Early-career marine engineering graduates make about $69,847. The acceptance rate is 34%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value marine engineering schools. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Typical student debt for marine engineering graduates is $19,137. 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 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Students borrow a median of $23,048 to complete the marine engineering program here. Marine Engineering graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Students looking for strong value in marine engineering will find it at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,420, with out-of-state students paying around $23,722. Typical student debt for marine engineering graduates is $27,000. Marine Engineering graduates of Massachusetts Maritime Academy earn a median of $100,024 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Massachusetts Maritime Academy admits about 95% of applicants.
Suny Maritime College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine engineering, landing the #5 spot this year. Suny Maritime College is a small public school located in the city of Throggs Neck. In-state tuition and fees average $8,589, with out-of-state students paying around $19,159. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the marine engineering program here. Soon after graduation, marine engineering degree recipients from Suny Maritime College generally make around $92,559. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny Maritime College admits about 72% of applicants.
Maine Maritime Academy came in at #6 for value in marine engineering this year. Set in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,158, with out-of-state students paying around $31,102. Marine Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career marine engineering graduates make about $108,130. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Maine Maritime Academy admits about 54% of applicants.
Webb Institute ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value marine engineering schools. Webb Institute is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Glen Cove. Students from in state pay about $63,214 in tuition and fees. Soon after graduation, marine engineering degree recipients from Webb Institute generally make around $75,834. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Marine Engineering rankings across degree levels:
View All Marine Engineering Rankings >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.