Massachusetts Maritime Academy's published cost of attendance totals $37,721 per year, including $23,910 in out-of-state tuition, $10,816 for in-state residents, $14,526 for room and board, and $1,500 for books and supplies. The average student pays $26,661 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,060 from the sticker price.
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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) | $31,367 |
| Tuition and Fees | $23,722 |
| Room and Board | $14,990 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,500 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$9,785 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $21,582 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $8,757 |
| $30–48k | $9,051 |
| $48–75k | $10,547 |
| $75–110k | $15,557 |
| $110k+ | $27,367 |
Massachusetts Maritime Academy's published cost of attendance totals $37,721 per year, including $23,910 in out-of-state tuition, $10,816 for in-state residents, $14,526 for room and board, and $1,500 for books and supplies. The average student pays $26,661 after financial aid, representing savings of $11,060 from the sticker price. This net price significantly exceeds the peer median of $13,302, making the academy $13,359 more expensive than similar institutions.
The higher net costs reflect the specialized nature of maritime education and the academy's unique training facilities, including ships and marine equipment that require substantial operational investments. Despite the elevated costs, the academy's exceptional earnings outcomes help justify the premium pricing through strong long-term financial returns. Students should carefully consider the cost-benefit relationship, recognizing that maritime careers often provide compensation levels that support the higher educational investment required for specialized training.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates carry median debt of $25,000, above the peer median of $21,500 but manageable relative to their strong earnings outcomes. Debt levels range from $10,243 at the 25th percentile to $27,000 at the 75th percentile, showing relatively consistent borrowing patterns across students.
The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.30 indicates that graduates dedicate roughly 30% of their annual income to debt service, which falls within reasonable repayment parameters. Parent PLUS borrowing averages $29,671 with monthly payments of $391, reflecting additional family investment in maritime education.
The combination of higher-than-peer debt levels with exceptional earnings outcomes creates favorable long-term financial positioning despite elevated borrowing. Students should expect to borrow somewhat more than peers at other institutions but can anticipate earnings that support comfortable debt repayment in maritime careers.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy represents a strong long-term investment despite higher upfront costs and debt levels. Graduates earn $23,927 beyond expectations, ranking at the 95.8th percentile nationally and achieving top-tier performance in earnings uplift.
The academy's return index percentile of 96.4% reflects exceptional value creation through specialized maritime education. Median earnings of $82,392 substantially exceed peer median earnings of $46,674, creating a $35,718 annual advantage that compounds over entire careers.
While debt levels exceed peer institutions by $3,500, the earnings premium more than compensates for additional borrowing. The investment assessment strongly favors the academy's specialized approach, demonstrating how focused career preparation in high-demand maritime fields generates substantial economic returns that justify premium educational pricing.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy's financial aid approach reflects its specialized maritime mission and higher operational costs. The $11,060 average financial aid savings helps bridge the gap between published costs and student ability to pay, though net prices remain above peer institutions.
The relatively modest Pell share of 17.0% suggests that aid primarily serves middle-income families rather than concentrating exclusively on the lowest-income students. Financial aid patterns indicate that the academy balances accessibility with the higher costs associated with maritime education, including specialized equipment, ships, and training facilities.
Students should expect aid packages that consider both need and the premium nature of maritime career preparation, with aid helping to manage but not eliminate the cost differential compared to general higher education.
