by our College Data Analytics Team
If you’re a veteran, service member, or military-affiliated student looking to study marine science/merchant marine officer, you’ve come to the right place. We have ranked 6 schools ranked on how well they support veterans pursuing marine science/merchant marine officer, using our 2026 methodology.
This ranking is based on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students: affordability and veteran financial benefits (including GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon support), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community. So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed colleges nationwide, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Explore the best marine science/merchant marine officer colleges for veterans at a specific degree level:
Explore the leading marine science/merchant marine officer colleges for veterans below:
Texas A&M University-College Station tops our 2026 ranking of the best marine science/merchant marine officer colleges for veterans. Texas A&M University-College Station scores 82.5 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, and veteran resources 66.7. See the full marine science/merchant marine officer report for Texas A&M University-College Station
California State University Maritime Academy came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best marine science/merchant marine officer colleges for veterans. California State University Maritime Academy scores 79.0 out of 100 for veteran support overall. Its affordability for veterans scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full marine science/merchant marine officer report for California State University Maritime Academy
Maine Maritime Academy came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best marine science/merchant marine officer colleges for veterans. The school's overall veterans score is 77.2 out of 100. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, and veteran resources 33.3. More about the marine science/merchant marine officer program at Maine Maritime Academy
SUNY Maritime College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best marine science/merchant marine officer colleges for veterans. SUNY Maritime College scores 76.3 out of 100 for veteran support overall. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full marine science/merchant marine officer report for SUNY Maritime College
Veteran students seeking a strong marine science/merchant marine officer program will find one at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, which ranked #5. The school's overall veterans score is 73.9 out of 100. On veteran affordability it scores 100.0, alongside a 33.3 veteran-support score.
See the full marine science/merchant marine officer report for Massachusetts Maritime Academy
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Northwestern Michigan College came in at #6 for veteran marine science/merchant marine officer students this year. It scores 64.1 out of 100 for serving veteran and military students. Veteran affordability (GI Bill benefits, tuition support) scores 100.0, with a veteran-resources score of 66.7. See the full marine science/merchant marine officer report for Northwestern Michigan College
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This ranking is based on the factors that matter most to veteran and military-affiliated students studying marine science/merchant marine officer: affordability and veteran financial benefits (GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon), academic quality, on-campus veteran resources and support services, veteran-friendly policies, and the size of the veteran student community.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.
