2026 Best Value Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/marine-transportation/marine-science-merchant-marine-officer/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong marine science/merchant marine officer education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for marine science/merchant marine officer students.
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2026 Best Value Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marine science/merchant marine officer, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Schools
Leading the list is Northwestern Michigan College, our #1 best value for marine science/merchant marine officer in the United States. Located in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,860 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,476. Marine Science/merchant Marine Officer graduates carry a median of $26,542 in student loans. Early-career marine science/merchant marine officer graduates make about $87,281. That is a strong return on a $26,542 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes United States Merchant Marine Academy one of the best values for marine science/merchant marine officer. Located in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $895. Soon after graduation, marine science/merchant marine officer degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy generally make around $69,847. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California Maritime Academy earned it the #3 place for marine science/merchant marine officer. California Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the city of Vallejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,559, while out-of-state students pay about $22,159. Students borrow a median of $26,945 to complete the marine science/merchant marine officer program here. Soon after graduation, marine science/merchant marine officer degree recipients from California Maritime Academy generally make around $87,464. That is a strong return on a $26,945 median debt. California Maritime Academy admits about 95% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University College Station earned it the #4 place for marine science/merchant marine officer. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Marine Science/merchant Marine Officer graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine science/merchant marine officer degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $87,444. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Maine Maritime Academy came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value marine science/merchant marine officer schools. Maine Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the rural area of Castine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,158, with out-of-state students paying around $31,102. Marine Science/merchant Marine Officer graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career marine science/merchant marine officer graduates make about $82,725. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Suny Maritime College landed the #6 spot for marine science/merchant marine officer value this year. Suny Maritime College is a small public school located in the city of Throggs Neck. Students from in state pay about $8,589 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,159. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the marine science/merchant marine officer program here. Marine Science/merchant Marine Officer graduates of Suny Maritime College earn a median of $79,797 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy came in at #7 for value in marine science/merchant marine officer this year. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay. In-state tuition and fees average $11,420, compared with $23,722 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine science/merchant marine officer graduates is $24,686. Marine Science/merchant Marine Officer graduates of Massachusetts Maritime Academy earn a median of $84,187 early in their careers. Set against $24,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Maritime Academy admits about 95% of applicants.
Other Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Degree Levels
Explore the best-value marine science/merchant marine officer schools at other degree levels:
View All Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
