by our College Data Analytics TeamExplore a powerful force that covers two thirds of the earth: the ocean. A Maritime Studies major studies the science, history, and literature of the ocean in a variety of different disciplines.
This is a rigorous major in the field of liberal arts. You will study history, English, literature, political science, geography, and economics as well as the social sciences and humanities. These courses examine traditions and cultural connections to the ocean. Students also explore environmental issues and problems, such as security, policy, and laws. This prepares students for a variety of maritime careers.
A degree in Maritime Studies explores Maritime Studies. Read on to learn the important information every maritime studies student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering maritime studies programs.
In the U.S., maritime studies draws strong interest, with 71 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Maritime Studies Schools ranking analyzes these 7 schools to determine the best overall colleges for maritime studies students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of maritime studies programs later in this article.
Programs in Maritime Studies develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations maritime studies graduates commonly enter.
Students should be passionate about the ocean and everything that surrounds it. Critical thinking skills are necessary as you dive into maritime literature and history. Students will need to read and analyze scholarly texts, books and primary sources to complete research papers and reports. The history that surrounds the ocean is vast; you will discover and explore thousands of years of literature from different opinions and perspectives.
Maritime Studies also involves the practical study of politics and oceanography. Problem solving skills will help you practice working with law makers and laws. Learn to clearly explain ideas and perspectives about security issues, policies and pollution. Students will practice applying abstract theory to real-life scenarios in order to prepare for a career in the maritime field.
The skill set built by a maritime studies program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a maritime studies major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several maritime studies degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 49 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 22 |
People currently working in careers related to maritime studies tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree | 64.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 10.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 9.4% |
| Some college courses | 8.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 6.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 0.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in maritime studies careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
This is an extremely diverse field that will allow you to enter many different occupations, depending on your unique interests. Your skills will allow you to work as a marina manager, aquaculture technician, conservation and resource manager, or environmental policy analyst. Graduates also find work as teachers, journalists, or documentary film makers. Other career paths include underwater archeology, coastal town planning, or non-profit development officer.
A degree in maritime studies opens doors to many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to maritime studies.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to maritime studies.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | 964,215 | -0.1% |
| Historians | 66,368 | -1.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of maritime studies graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $32,325 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for maritime studies graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers maritime studies grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Historians | $89,780 |
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $68,967 |
With 7 different maritime studies programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased maritime studies school rankings to help you.
Those considering maritime studies, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Maritime Studies | 71 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
