Maine Maritime Academy combines accessible admission standards with exceptional career outcomes through specialized maritime education. As a Selective Achievers institution, the academy delivers strong earnings performance while serving fewer low-income students than typical public institutions, creating valuable career pathways in high-demand maritime fields.
With exceptional outcomes, driven by graduates' strong earnings relative to educational cost
With below-average performance, reflecting higher net costs and debt levels relative to peers
With below-average performance, reflecting limited enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to peer institutions
With typical performance, indicating average ability to convert access into earnings growth
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisMaine Maritime Academy delivers exceptional return on educational investment through specialized maritime programs. Graduates earn $89,964 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 97th percentile nationally—among the highest earnings we track.
This represents $11,464 beyond expectations based on student demographics and program mix, placing the academy at the 87.3rd percentile for value creation. Earnings range from $57,712 at the 25th percentile to $124,580 at the 75th percentile, reflecting the institution's focus on high-demand maritime careers.
Students seeking career-focused maritime education with exceptional post-graduation earnings. Well-suited for those interested in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Commercial Fishing, or International Business programs that lead directly to high-paying specialized careers.
Maine Maritime Academy's small size and focused curriculum create strong industry connections in niche maritime fields.
Maine Maritime Academy admits 61.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 3 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places the academy in the Moderately Selective category, making it more accessible than highly selective institutions while maintaining academic standards appropriate for rigorous maritime programs.
The peer median admission rate of 84.2% indicates that Maine Maritime Academy is notably more selective than typical institutions in its comparison group, likely reflecting the specialized nature of its programs and the specific academic preparation required for maritime careers. This level of selectivity means that students with solid academic credentials—particularly in mathematics and sciences—have reasonable prospects for admission.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Maine Maritime Academy's published cost of attendance is $30,166 per year, including $14,746 in-state tuition, $11,926 for room and board, and $1,300 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $21,185 after financial aid, representing savings of $8,981 through institutional and federal aid programs.
This net price is higher than the peer median of $13,302, meaning students pay $7,883 more annually than at similar institutions. The cost structure reflects the academy's specialized maritime programs, which require significant investment in vessels, simulation equipment, and industry-standard facilities.
Out-of-state students face tuition of $30,226, though many benefit from regional and professional program discounts. The net price varies significantly by family income, ranging from $12,499 for the lowest-income students to $25,342 for families earning over $110,000.
Despite higher costs than peer institutions, the academy's exceptional earnings outcomes—with graduates earning $43,290 more than peer institution graduates—help justify the premium pricing for students committed to maritime careers requiring specialized technical education and industry certification.
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.
71 graduates
Commercial Fishing.
30 graduates
Systems Engineering.
8 graduates
International Business.
36 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clarkson University Higher acceptance rate (15.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 77% | $89,696 | Compare |
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This is the Maine Maritime Academy hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/maine-maritime-academy/analysis.
Top 5% nationally for graduate earnings
Maine Maritime Academy ranks #279 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, with performance at the 82.9th percentile. Located in Castine, Maine, this small public institution serves a specialized mission with a 61.4% admission rate while delivering exceptional post-graduation outcomes.
The academy enrolls 24.7% Pell-eligible students and 20.7% first-generation students. Graduates earn a median of $89,964 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 97th percentile nationally—among the top 5% of all colleges tracked.
With earnings beyond expectations of $11,464, ranking at the 87.3rd percentile, Maine Maritime Academy demonstrates strong value creation. This combination of accessible admission standards, maritime specialization, and exceptional earnings outcomes places the institution within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where strong outcomes accompany more limited low-income access.
However, applicants should demonstrate genuine interest in maritime careers and understanding of the academy's specialized mission. The academy's focused program offerings attract students with specific career goals, creating a more competitive applicant pool than the admission rate might suggest.
Students considering Maine Maritime Academy should build college lists that include both maritime-focused institutions and broader engineering programs, treating the academy as a target school for students with appropriate academic preparation and career focus. The sections below provide guidance on academic preparation and alternative schools for students seeking similar career-focused education.
Maine Maritime Academy graduates demonstrate exceptional long-term earning potential with some volatility in the early career trajectory. Median earnings peak at $93,944 six years after enrollment, decline to $84,472 at eight years, then recover to $89,964 at ten years, representing a 4.2% decline from the six-year mark.
These outcomes are based on cohorts of 72, 62, and 75 graduates respectively, providing reasonable confidence in the reported figures. The earnings trajectory reflects the specialized nature of maritime careers, where initial placement in high-paying positions may fluctuate with industry cycles before stabilizing.
Graduates earn $11,464 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing Maine Maritime Academy at the 87.3rd percentile for value creation. Low-income graduates earn $99,900, ranking in the top 5% nationally and demonstrating the academy's ability to create economic mobility.
Approximately 39.7% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating strong preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education in maritime specialties.
Maine Maritime Academy offers three bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data, each achieving top national rankings in their respective fields. Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering ranks #2 nationally and #1 in Maine, graduating 71 students with median earnings of $116,961 and an exceptional value score of 75.0.
Commercial Fishing ranks #3 nationally and #1 in Maine, graduating 30 students with median earnings of $102,847 and a strong value score of 60.0. International Business ranks #17 nationally and #1 in Maine, graduating 36 students with median earnings of $63,763 and a value score of 68.6.
All three programs represent flagship offerings at the academy, with each holding the top position in Maine. The concentrated program portfolio reflects the institution's specialized maritime mission and creates exceptional outcomes in niche career fields with high demand for trained professionals.
Manhattan College Higher acceptance rate (17.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | NY | 78% | $86,316 | Compare |
Bowdoin College Same state (66 miles away) with similar earnings | ME | 8% | $82,735 | Compare |
Colby College Same state (44 miles away) (earnings difference: 10.5%) | ME | 7% | $80,490 | Compare |
United States Merchant Marine Academy Same region with nearly identical earnings and similar program focus; same institution type | NY | 32% | $90,610 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of Puerto Rico-Humacao Similar quality tier (#295 ranked) | PR | 58% | $29,521 | #295 | Compare |
University Of Houston-Victoria Similar quality tier (#257 ranked) | TX | 77% | $54,467 | #257 | Compare |
University Of Puerto Rico-Carolina Similar quality tier (#309 ranked) | PR | 53% | $30,626 | #309 | Compare |
Virginia Military Institute Similar quality tier (#316 ranked) | VA | 82% | $77,369 | #316 | Compare |
University Of Minnesota-Rochester Similar quality tier (#325 ranked) | MN | 72% | $69,020 | #325 | Compare |
