2026 Best Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Schools in the New England Region

Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 2 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best marine science/merchant marine officer schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Schools in the New England Region

Best Schools for Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer in the New England Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the marine science/merchant marine officer degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer

1

Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, MA

Associate's Degree Highest Degree Type

56 Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Degrees Awarded

$84,187 Median Starting Salary

Leading the list is Massachusetts Maritime Academy, our #1 school for marine science/merchant marine officer. 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. About 56 marine science/merchant marine officer degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the most recent year. Marine Science/merchant Marine Officer graduates of Massachusetts Maritime Academy earn a median of $84,187 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,686 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in marine science/merchant marine officer from Massachusetts Maritime Academy

2

Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME

Associate's Degree Highest Degree Type

54 Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer Degrees Awarded

$82,725 Median Starting Salary

Students looking for a strong marine science/merchant marine officer program will find one at Maine Maritime Academy, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a small public institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 54 marine science/merchant marine officer degrees were awarded at Maine Maritime Academy in the most recent year. Graduates of the marine science/merchant marine officer program make about $82,725 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the marine science/merchant marine officer program at Maine Maritime Academy

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 2 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).

More about our data sources and methodologies.