by our College Data Analytics Team
[Marine Transportation](/majors/transportation-materials-handling/marine-transportation/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The schools below stand out for the salaries their marine transportation graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 7 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying marine transportation schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose marine transportation graduates go on to earn the most.
Leading the list is Northwestern Michigan College, our #1 for marine transportation graduate salaries in the United States. Set in the city of Traverse City, Northwestern Michigan College is a public institution. Early-career marine transportation graduates from Northwestern Michigan College make a median of around $133,180 per year.
A rank of #2 makes California Maritime Academy one of the highest-paying schools for marine transportation. California Maritime Academy is a public school located in the city of Vallejo. Early-career marine transportation graduates from California Maritime Academy make a median of around $116,871 per year.
Texas A And M University College Station produces some of the highest-paid graduates in marine transportation, landing the #3 spot this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school located in the city of College Station. Early-career marine transportation graduates from Texas A And M University College Station make a median of around $109,470 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Massachusetts Maritime Academy earned it the #4 place for marine transportation. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a public school located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay. After graduating, marine transportation degree recipients from Massachusetts Maritime Academy typically earn about $110,804 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Maine Maritime Academy one of the highest-paying schools for marine transportation. Set in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a public institution. Marine Transportation graduates of Maine Maritime Academy earn a median of about $106,633 a year early in their careers.
Suny Maritime College landed the #6 spot for marine transportation salaries this year. Suny Maritime College is a public school located in the city of Throggs Neck. Students who complete the marine transportation program here go on to a median salary of roughly $101,578.
United States Merchant Marine Academy placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for marine transportation. Located in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public institution. After graduating, marine transportation degree recipients from United States Merchant Marine Academy typically earn about $101,017 annually.
Explore the highest-paying marine transportation schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries marine transportation graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 7 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.