by our College Data Analytics Team
[Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering](/majors/engineering/marine-engineering/naval-architecture-marine-engineering/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for naval architecture & marine engineering students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in naval architecture & marine engineering, balancing cost against outcomes.
United States Merchant Marine Academy earned the #1 spot for value among naval architecture & marine engineering 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. Early-career naval architecture & marine engineering graduates make about $69,847. The acceptance rate is 34%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of New Orleans one of the best values for naval architecture & marine engineering. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,172, compared with $14,008 for out-of-state students. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates carry a median of $23,048 in student loans. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates of University Of New Orleans earn a median of $42,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Orleans admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great value for students pursuing a degree in naval architecture & marine engineering, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for naval architecture & marine engineering graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, naval architecture & marine engineering degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $87,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Webb Institute one of the best values for naval architecture & marine engineering. Located in the suburb of Glen Cove, Webb Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $63,214. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates of Webb Institute earn a median of $75,834 early in their careers. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Students looking for strong value in naval architecture & marine engineering will find it at Maine Maritime Academy, which ranked #5. Maine Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the rural area of Castine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,158, while out-of-state students pay about $31,102. Typical student debt for naval architecture & marine engineering graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, naval architecture & marine engineering degree recipients from Maine Maritime Academy generally make around $108,130. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
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Suny Maritime College came in at #6 for value in naval architecture & marine engineering this year. Suny Maritime College is a small public school located in the city of Throggs Neck. In-state tuition and fees average $8,589, compared with $19,159 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the naval architecture & marine engineering program here. Early-career naval architecture & marine engineering graduates make about $92,559. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy came in at #7 for value in naval architecture & marine engineering this year. Set in the suburb of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,420, with out-of-state students paying around $23,722. Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career naval architecture & marine engineering graduates make about $100,024. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering rankings across degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.