Published cost of attendance is $29,853. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $13,552, middle-income families pay around $16,948, higher-income families pay approximately $24,911.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $29,853 |
| Tuition and Fees | $22,544 |
| Room and Board | $14,536 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,029 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$9,298 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $20,555 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $13,552 |
| $30–48k | $9,768 |
| $48–75k | $16,948 |
| $75–110k | $21,257 |
| $110k+ | $24,911 |
Published cost of attendance is $29,853. After need-based aid, low-income families pay approximately $13,552, middle-income families pay around $16,948, higher-income families pay approximately $24,911. Azimuth ranks California State University Maritime Academy #905 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 36.5 percentile. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,965; families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $38,432. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $108,757, median federal debt projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios, use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of California State University Maritime Academy earn median 4-year earnings of $108,757, placing California State University Maritime Academy in the 99.4 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn about $38,506 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing California State University Maritime Academy in the 99.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks California State University Maritime Academy #32 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That performance reflects the institution's tight focus on Transportation and related applied fields, where graduates move directly into licensed, high-demand roles with strong starting pay relative to the credential cost. The program lineup at California State University Maritime Academy is concentrated rather than broad. Marine Transportation is the largest program, graduating 66 students and delivering median earnings of $117,176 four years after enrollment — Azimuth ranks it #4 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field . Mechanical Engineering follows with 42 graduates earning $126,395 at the four-year mark, and Azimuth ranks it #2 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions at 1.4x benchmark. Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians and Business Administration round out the core degree offerings, each tied to CA's maritime, engineering, and logistics labor markets where employer demand and licensing requirements sustain above-average early-career pay. The institution's narrow program mix — anchored in Engineering (20% of graduates) and Business (16%) — means outcomes are relatively consistent across the student body, with limited dispersion between high- and lower-earning graduates compared with broader universities.
