by our College Data Analytics TeamDo you love the thought of a career traveling on the open sea? A major in Marine Transportation will give you the technical knowledge and skill to work directly with ocean vessels. This program is ideal for anyone who wants to become a commercial fisherman, deep-water or scuba diver, ship captain, or any other ship worker.
Students may able to choose a concentration in a specific subject. Some of the options are Commercial Fishing, Diving Professional and Instructor, and Marine Science. You will take classes in your chosen specialization as well as courses in maritime traditions and law, shipboard power system engineering, crew supervision, catch identification, safety procedures, decompression systems, and diving safety procedures. This major is typically offered as a Bachelors degree, however can differ depending on which institution you attend.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BS in Operations Management - Logistics & Transportation
Enhance your Bachelor of Science in Operations Management with a concentration in Logistics and Transportation at Southern New Hampshire University.
In 2021-2022, marine transportation was the 283rd most popular major nationwide with 1,493 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Marine Transportation Schools ranking analyzes 6 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for marine transportation students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of marine transport programs later in this article.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
BS in Operations Management - Logistics & Transportation
Enhance your Bachelor of Science in Operations Management with a concentration in Logistics and Transportation at Southern New Hampshire University.
In order to be successful in a Marine Transportation major and future career, you need to develop certain abilities. Students should be physically strong and be prepared to work long hours in adverse weather conditions. You must also have sharp vision and hearing.
Problem-solving and decision-making skills are critical due to the uncertainty of the ocean. You might have to make quick decisions in stressful situations. Students should not be afraid of taking advanced science and math courses. You will also be encouraged to obtain internships in order to gain experience in this field.
marine transportation degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic marine transportation program qualifications, to serve in some marine transport careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Marine Transport degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in marine transportation to something that takes less time like a . The time it takes to complete a marine transport degree varies depending on the program.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to marine transport, with approximately 6.4% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for marine transport workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 43.8% |
| High School Diploma | 34.9% |
| Some College Courses | 7.2% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 5.9% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 4.5% |
See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in marine transportation have received.
The education level required is different depending on the marine transport career you are seeking.
Careers in this field involve a life sea and can be very adventurous and exciting. Students who focused in commercial fishing have the option of becoming a fisher and related fishing worker, or a fishing operations supervisor. In this position you will catch and trap various kinds of sea life in order to sell for human food, animal food, bait, or other uses.
Those who concentrated in Diving have the opportunity to become a professional deep-water or scuba diver, diving instructor, or diving support personnel. Diving instructors educate people on the techniques and safety involved in scuba diving.
Finally, if you concentrated in Marine Science, you can expect a career as a captain, executive officer, engineers and ranking mates, or coastal and ocean-going vessels. Water transportation workers operate and maintain the ships that are commercial and business.
Want a job when you graduate with your marine transport degree? Marine Transportation careers are expected to grow 8.5% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to marine transportation.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | 42,200 | 8.8% |
| Ship Engineers | 10,800 | 6.9% |
| Commercial Divers | 4,500 | 9.8% |
Marine Transportation graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $53,758 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $30,992 to as high as $87,464. As you might expect, salaries for marine transport graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for marine transportation graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers marine transport grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $82,380 |
| Ship Engineers | $75,710 |
| Commercial Divers | $59,470 |
With over 46 different marine transport degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased marine transport school rankings to help you with this.
Marine Transportation is one of 3 different types of Transportation & Materials Moving programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Diver, Professional & Instructor | 876 |
| Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer | 583 |
| Other Marine Transportation | 34 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Ground Transportation | 21,480 |
| Air Transportation | 10,326 |
| Other Transportation & Materials Moving | 7 |
