2026 Best Value Marine Transportation Schools

1

Lamar State College Orange
Orange, TX

Our analysis ranked Lamar State College Orange the best value for a degree in marine transportation in the United States. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the marine transportation program here. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Orange Coast College
Costa Mesa, CA

Orange Coast College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in marine transportation, landing the #2 spot this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Marine Transportation graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from Orange Coast College generally make around $46,306. That is a strong return on a $8,978 median debt.

3

Seattle Community College Central Campus
Seattle, WA

Students looking for strong value in marine transportation will find it at Seattle Community College Central Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Marine Transportation graduates carry a median of $14,699 in student loans. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $53,048. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Northwestern Michigan College
Traverse City, MI

Students looking for strong value in marine transportation will find it at Northwestern Michigan College, which ranked #4. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,860, while out-of-state students pay about $13,476. Typical student debt for marine transportation graduates is $26,542. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $87,281. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

University Of Alaska Southeast
Juneau, AK

University Of Alaska Southeast came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value marine transportation schools. Set in the rural area of Juneau, University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,936, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $20,458 to complete the marine transportation program here. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $63,014. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.

6

San Jacinto Community College
Pasadena, TX

San Jacinto Community College came in at #6 for value in marine transportation this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Marine Transportation graduates carry a median of $11,376 in student loans. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.

7

United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY

United States Merchant Marine Academy earned the #7 position for value in marine transportation this year. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Kings Point. In-state tuition and fees average $895. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $69,847. The acceptance rate is 34%.

8

Northshore Technical Community College
Lacombe, LA

Northshore Technical Community College earned the #8 position for value in marine transportation this year. Northshore Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Lacombe. In-state tuition and fees average $4,299. Typical student debt for marine transportation graduates is $14,815. Marine Transportation graduates of Northshore Technical Community College earn a median of $31,601 early in their careers. Set against $14,815 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Florida Keys Community College
Key West, FL

Florida Keys Community College placed #9 among the best values for marine transportation. Located in the town of Key West, Florida Keys Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,276, compared with $13,162 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine transportation graduates is $13,236. Marine Transportation graduates of Florida Keys Community College earn a median of $47,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,236 median debt.

10

California Maritime Academy
Vallejo, CA

California Maritime Academy came in at #10 for value in marine transportation this year. California Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the city of Vallejo. Students from in state pay about $9,559 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,159 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine transportation graduates is $26,945. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from California Maritime Academy generally make around $87,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California Maritime Academy admits about 95% of applicants.

11

Texas A And M University College Station
College Station, TX

Texas A And M University College Station landed the #11 spot for marine transportation value this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine transportation graduates is $25,000. Marine Transportation graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $87,444 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

12

Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME

Maine Maritime Academy came in at #12 for value in marine transportation this year. Located in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $15,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,102 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the marine transportation program here. Marine Transportation graduates of Maine Maritime Academy earn a median of $82,725 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

13

Suny Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY

Suny Maritime College came in at #13 for value in marine transportation this year. Set in the city of Throggs Neck, Suny Maritime College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,589 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,159 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for marine transportation graduates is $25,000. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $79,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.

14

Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, MA

Massachusetts Maritime Academy earned the #14 position for value in marine transportation this year. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay. Students from in state pay about $11,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,722 for out-of-state students. Marine Transportation graduates carry a median of $24,686 in student loans. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $84,187. Set against $24,686 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts Maritime Academy admits about 95% of applicants.

15

Ocean Corporation
Houston, TX

Ocean Corporation ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value marine transportation schools. Located in the city of Houston, Ocean Corporation is a small private for-profit university. Marine Transportation graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career marine transportation graduates make about $30,992. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

16

Divers Institute Of Technology
Seattle, WA

Divers Institute Of Technology earned the #16 position for value in marine transportation this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Divers Institute Of Technology is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the marine transportation program here. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from Divers Institute Of Technology generally make around $38,699. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.