Compare 6 Commercial Fishing. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $114,773. Top programs: $124,645+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Commercial Fishing tells a different story. Across 6 programs, earnings range from $103,417 to $124,645—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. Every program in this ranking is a public institution, yet outcomes diverge meaningfully, underscoring why evaluating programs on their own terms beats defaulting to institutional prestige.
Topping the list, Texas A&M University-College Station's program delivers $124,645 in median earnings against a national average of $114,773 across these 6 programs. Massachusetts Maritime Academy (#2, $119,916) and California State University Maritime Academy (#3, $117,176) both outperform that average as well—specialized maritime and fishing programs at regional publics competing on outcomes, not brand recognition.
Debt burden separates good options from great ones. United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates carry just $8,833 in student debt and face a 1.4% payment burden—firmly 'Excellent' by GPS standards. Families see the same picture: a 1.4% combined burden, the lowest in this ranking. For context, Maine Maritime Academy's family burden reaches 15.5%, a meaningful difference worth weighing carefully. Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →: https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs
Highest program earnings: $124,645
Strong outcomes ($117,176) with 95% acceptance
1.4% payment burden | Excellent
1.4% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $124,645 | 63 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Excellent | |
| #2 | $119,916 | 49 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,678 | Good | |
| #3 | $117,176 | 66 | $24,965 | Excellent | $38,432 | Good | |
| #4 | Suny Maritime CollegePublic | $115,831 | 167 | $23,250 | Excellent | $38,700 | Good |
| #5 | $107,654 | 113 | $8,833 | Excellent | $0 | Excellent | |
| #6 | Maine Maritime AcademyPublic | $103,417 | 49 | $27,000 | Excellent | $55,812 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
