by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marine Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/marine-transportation/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for marine transportation students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marine transportation, balancing cost against outcomes.
United States Merchant Marine Academy earned the #1 spot for value among marine transportation schools in the United States. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Kings Point. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $895. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy generally make around $69,847. Roughly 34% of applicants are accepted.
Northwestern Michigan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine transportation, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Typical student debt for marine transportation graduates is $26,542. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $87,281. That is a strong return on a $26,542 median debt.
California Maritime Academy is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine transportation, landing the #3 spot this year. California Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the city of Vallejo. In-state tuition and fees average $9,559, compared with $22,159 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,945 to complete the marine transportation program here. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from California Maritime Academy generally make around $87,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Maritime Academy admits about 95% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in marine transportation will find it at Texas A And M University College Station, which ranked #4. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine transportation graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $87,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts Maritime Academy earned it the #5 place for marine transportation. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,420, compared with $23,722 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,686 to complete the marine transportation program here. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from Massachusetts Maritime Academy generally make around $84,187. Set against $24,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Maritime Academy admits about 95% of applicants.
Suny Maritime College came in at #6 for value in marine transportation this year. Located in the city of Throggs Neck, Suny Maritime College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,589, with out-of-state students paying around $19,159. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the marine transportation program here. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $79,797. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny Maritime College admits about 72% of applicants.
Maine Maritime Academy earned the #7 position for value in marine transportation this year. Located in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,158, compared with $31,102 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the marine transportation program here. Marine Transportation graduates of Maine Maritime Academy earn a median of $82,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Marine Transportation rankings across degree levels:
View All Marine Transportation Rankings >The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, 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.