California State University Maritime Academy's published cost of attendance is $29,853. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across family circumstances: low-income families pay approximately $13,552, mid-low-income families pay around $9,768, middle-income families pay about $16,948, mid-high-income families pay approximately $21,257, and higher-income families pay roughly $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 |
California State University Maritime Academy's published cost of attendance is $29,853. Net price by income band shows meaningful variation across family circumstances: low-income families pay approximately $13,552, mid-low-income families pay around $9,768, middle-income families pay about $16,948, mid-high-income families pay approximately $21,257, and higher-income families pay roughly $24,911. Azimuth ranks California State University Maritime Academy #905 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. As a public maritime academy, California State University Maritime Academy benefits from state funding that keeps tuition lower than private alternatives, though net prices still vary substantially by family income. The gap between published cost of attendance and actual net price reflects the institution's need-based aid structure, which reshapes the headline sticker for qualifying families. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary based on demonstrated financial need and other institutional factors. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $24,965, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $38,432; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures. For the typical graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $108,757, median federal debt of $24,965 projects to a monthly payment of about $282 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
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.
