Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their marine science/merchant marine officer programs.
For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for marine science/merchant marine officer students pursuing a degree.
Choosing a Great Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer School
The school you choose for marine science/merchant marine officer can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer rankings. For our Best Overall Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Schools list, to help you choose. 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.
Our analysis ranked Suny Maritime College the best school in the country for a degree in marine science/merchant marine officer. Set in the city of Throggs Neck, Suny Maritime College is a small public institution. Suny Maritime College graduates 66% of students within six years. Suny Maritime College awarded about 103 marine science/merchant marine officer degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine science/merchant marine officer degree recipients from Suny Maritime College generally make around $79,797. Suny Maritime College graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
Read more about the marine science/merchant marine officer program at Suny Maritime College
Texas A And M University College Station is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in marine science/merchant marine officer, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 51 marine science/merchant marine officer students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine science/merchant marine officer degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $87,444. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full marine science/merchant marine officer program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Massachusetts Maritime Academy came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best marine science/merchant marine officer schools. Located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public university. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 51 marine science/merchant marine officer students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the most recent data year. Students who receive their marine science/merchant marine officer degree from Massachusetts Maritime Academy earn around $84,187 in the first couple years of their career. Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates carry a median of $24,686 in student loans.
Read more about the marine science/merchant marine officer program at Massachusetts Maritime Academy
A rank of #4 makes California Maritime Academy one of the top schools for marine science/merchant marine officer. California Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the city of Vallejo. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 64 marine science/merchant marine officer students who graduated with this degree at California Maritime Academy in the most recent data year. Marine Science/merchant Marine Officer graduates of California Maritime Academy earn a median of $87,464 early in their careers. California Maritime Academy graduates carry a median of $26,945 in student loans.
Read more about the marine science/merchant marine officer program at California Maritime Academy
A rank of #5 makes Seattle Community College Central Campus one of the top schools for marine science/merchant marine officer. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Seattle Community College Central Campus awarded about 12 marine science/merchant marine officer degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Science/merchant Marine Officer graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,699.
Read more about the marine science/merchant marine officer program at Seattle Community College Central Campus
United States Merchant Marine Academy came in at #6 for marine science/merchant marine officer this year. Set in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public institution. United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates 82% of students within six years. About 88 marine science/merchant marine officer degrees were awarded at United States Merchant Marine Academy in the most recent year. Marine Science/merchant Marine Officer graduates of United States Merchant Marine Academy earn a median of $69,847 early in their careers.
Read more about the marine science/merchant marine officer program at United States Merchant Marine Academy
Northwestern Michigan College placed #7 among the best marine science/merchant marine officer schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of Traverse City. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 35 marine science/merchant marine officer degrees were awarded at Northwestern Michigan College in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine science/merchant marine officer degree from Northwestern Michigan College earn around $87,281 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,542 to complete this degree.
See the full marine science/merchant marine officer program report for Northwestern Michigan College
San Jacinto Community College landed the #8 spot for marine science/merchant marine officer this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Pasadena. About 29 marine science/merchant marine officer degrees were awarded at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine science/merchant marine officer degree from San Jacinto Community College earn around $38,107 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in marine science/merchant marine officer from San Jacinto Community College
Maine Maritime Academy placed #9 among the best marine science/merchant marine officer schools. Set in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a small public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. Maine Maritime Academy awarded about 66 marine science/merchant marine officer degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine science/merchant marine officer degree recipients from Maine Maritime Academy generally make around $82,725. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
More information about a degree in marine science/merchant marine officer from Maine Maritime Academy
Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Related Rankings by Major
Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 9 schools evaluated.
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).
