Marine Transportation is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for marine transportation students pursuing a degree.
The school you choose for marine transportation can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Marine Transportation Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Marine Transportation School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Marine Transportation Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
No school ranked higher than Massachusetts Maritime Academy this year for marine transportation. Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a small public school located in the suburb of Buzzards Bay. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Massachusetts Maritime Academy awarded about 56 marine transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Transportation graduates of Massachusetts Maritime Academy earn a median of $84,187 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,686.
See the full marine transportation program report for Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Suny Maritime College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine transportation, ranking #2. Suny Maritime College is a small public school located in the city of Throggs Neck. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. Suny Maritime College awarded about 139 marine transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine transportation program make about $79,797 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
Get the full marine transportation details for Suny Maritime College
A rank of #3 makes Texas A And M University College Station one of the top schools for marine transportation. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 53 marine transportation degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine transportation degree from Texas A And M University College Station earn around $87,444 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full marine transportation program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Seattle Community College Central Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in marine transportation, ranking #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Seattle. There were roughly 12 marine transportation students who graduated with this degree at Seattle Community College Central Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Typical student debt for the program is $14,699.
See the full marine transportation program report for Seattle Community College Central Campus
Students looking for a strong marine transportation program will find one at California Maritime Academy, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Vallejo, California Maritime Academy is a small public university. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 94 marine transportation students who graduated with this degree at California Maritime Academy in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from California Maritime Academy generally make around $87,464. Students borrow a median of $26,945 to complete this degree.
Get the full marine transportation details for California Maritime Academy
University Of Alaska Southeast ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best marine transportation schools. University Of Alaska Southeast is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Juneau. Roughly 21% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 marine transportation degrees were awarded at University Of Alaska Southeast in the most recent year. Students who receive their marine transportation degree from University Of Alaska Southeast earn around $63,014 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,458.
Get the full marine transportation details for University Of Alaska Southeast
Orange Coast College earned the #7 position for marine transportation this year. Orange Coast College is a very large public school located in the city of Costa Mesa. There were roughly 15 marine transportation students who graduated with this degree at Orange Coast College in the most recent data year. Marine Transportation graduates of Orange Coast College earn a median of $46,306 early in their careers. Orange Coast College graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans.
More information about a degree in marine transportation from Orange Coast College
San Jacinto Community College landed the #8 spot for marine transportation this year. Set in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 18 marine transportation students who graduated with this degree at San Jacinto Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine transportation program make about $38,107 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete this degree.
Read more about the marine transportation program at San Jacinto Community College
Lamar State College Orange placed #9 among the best marine transportation schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Orange. There were roughly 17 marine transportation students who graduated with this degree at Lamar State College Orange in the most recent data year. Marine Transportation graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $18,506.
Read more about the marine transportation program at Lamar State College Orange
Northwestern Michigan College landed the #10 spot for marine transportation this year. Northwestern Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Traverse City. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. Northwestern Michigan College awarded about 41 marine transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from Northwestern Michigan College generally make around $87,281. Northwestern Michigan College graduates carry a median of $26,542 in student loans.
See the full marine transportation program report for Northwestern Michigan College
Florida Keys Community College came in at #11 for marine transportation this year. Set in the town of Key West, Florida Keys Community College is a small public institution. About 16 marine transportation degrees were awarded at Florida Keys Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from Florida Keys Community College generally make around $47,373. Students borrow a median of $13,236 to complete this degree.
Get the full marine transportation details for Florida Keys Community College
Maine Maritime Academy ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best marine transportation schools. Located in the rural area of Castine, Maine Maritime Academy is a small public university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. Maine Maritime Academy awarded about 54 marine transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Marine Transportation graduates of Maine Maritime Academy earn a median of $82,725 early in their careers. Maine Maritime Academy graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in marine transportation from Maine Maritime Academy
United States Merchant Marine Academy placed #13 among the best marine transportation schools. Located in the suburb of Kings Point, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a small public university. United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates 82% of students within six years. United States Merchant Marine Academy awarded about 94 marine transportation degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the marine transportation program make about $69,847 in their early career.
Get the full marine transportation details for United States Merchant Marine Academy
Northshore Technical Community College placed #14 among the best marine transportation schools. Northshore Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Lacombe. There were roughly 13 marine transportation students who graduated with this degree at Northshore Technical Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from Northshore Technical Community College generally make around $31,601. Northshore Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $14,815 in student loans.
See the full marine transportation program report for Northshore Technical Community College
Divers Institute Of Technology earned the #15 position for marine transportation this year. This small private for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. About 298 marine transportation degrees were awarded at Divers Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from Divers Institute Of Technology generally make around $38,699. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
See the full marine transportation program report for Divers Institute Of Technology
Ocean Corporation placed #16 among the best marine transportation schools. Located in the city of Houston, Ocean Corporation is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 148 marine transportation students who graduated with this degree at Ocean Corporation in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, marine transportation degree recipients from Ocean Corporation generally make around $30,992. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete this degree.
See the full marine transportation program report for Ocean Corporation
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 27 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
