by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marine Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/marine-transportation/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value marine transportation schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in marine transportation, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Lamar State College Orange, our #1 best value for marine transportation in Texas. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the marine transportation program here. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $45,299. That is a strong return on a $18,506 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes San Jacinto Community College one of the best values for marine transportation. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Marine Transportation graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $38,107. Set against $11,376 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas A And M University College Station earned it the #3 place for marine transportation. 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 Transportation graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine transportation 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.
Ocean Corporation is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine transportation, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Houston, Ocean Corporation is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for marine transportation graduates is $9,500. Marine Transportation graduates of Ocean Corporation earn a median of $30,992 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.