Compare 12 Marine Engineering Technology/Technician. programs in the South. Average earnings: $65,020.
With top graduates earning $93,433, Marine Engineering Technology/Technician stands out as a field where program choice matters more than school name. The gap between the best and median programs exceeds $26K—proof that evaluating programs individually beats relying on institutional prestige.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Worldwide leads with graduates earning $93,433, followed by LeTourneau University at $82K. The University of Houston rounds out the top three at $73,848 with the largest cohort of 102 students. These outcomes span private specialized institutions and major public research universities—evidence that program strength varies independently of school type.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Embry-Riddle graduates borrow $23,666 and face just a 4.6% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Fairmont State University leads with a 10.1% family burden, proving that the best choice depends on who's paying.
Highest program earnings: $93,433
Strong outcomes with 62% acceptance
4.6% payment burden | Excellent
10.1% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Letourneau UniversityPrivate | $81,997 | 14 | $26,000 | Excellent | $24,703 | Manageable |
| #2 | University Of HoustonPublic | $73,848 | 102 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Good |
| #3 | $72,645 | 54 | $20,500 | Excellent | $38,513 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $70,880 | 43 | $21,000 | Excellent | $12,589 | Good | |
| #5 | $69,521 | 44 | $23,833 | Excellent | $19,000 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $69,498 | 85 | $21,500 | Excellent | $19,809 | Manageable | |
| #7 | Liberty UniversityPrivate | $66,087 | 29 | $24,500 | Excellent | $16,398 | Manageable |
| #8 | $65,970 | 58 | $19,250 | Excellent | $23,211 | Manageable | |
| #9 | $64,437 | 31 | $26,500 | Good | $22,181 | Manageable | |
| #10 | $56,776 | 17 | $19,606 | Excellent | $17,125 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $47,260 | 21 | $27,000 | Manageable | $18,771 | High | |
| #12 | $41,317 | 10 | $23,000 | Manageable | $25,348 | High |
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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
