Maine Maritime Academy
Maine Maritime Academy — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Maine Maritime Academy at a Glance
Maine Maritime Academy is a public college focused on maritime training and located in Castine, Maine. Established by the 90th Maine Legislature on March 21, 1941, the academy is one of six non-federal maritime training colleges in the United States and one of only two that fields a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) unit. Unlike federal service academies, no congressional recommendation is required for admission to this state institution.
1941
85 years old
$18M
$18.1 million
979
35 acres
Identity
Is Maine Maritime Academy Worth It?
Maine Maritime Academy offers moderate value at $23,414/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $89,964, which is near the national average. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1 year — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 60% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 6 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
How Maine Maritime Academy compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #2 of 7 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | 100 | $9,873 | $76,489 |
| #2 | Maine Maritime Academy | 58 | $23,414 | $89,964 |
| #3 | Oregon State University-Cascades Campus | 48 | $18,048 | $64,010 |
| #4 | University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online | 34 | $10,864 | $66,479 |
| #5 | Ohio State University-Marion Campus | 34 | $11,488 | $60,409 |
| #6 | Ohio State University-Lima Campus | 24 | $12,940 | $60,409 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Maine Maritime Academy's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at Maine Maritime Academy
The highest-earning program at Maine Maritime Academy is Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at $92,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is International Business at $48,500/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering graduate from Maine Maritime Academy earns $92,700, while a International Business graduate earns $48,500. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering graduates carry $27,000 in median debt vs. $27,000 for International Business.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $23,414/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering | $92,700 | $92,700 | $27,000 |
| Marine Transportation | $81,500 | $81,500 | $27,000 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other | $76,600 | $76,600 | $27,000 |
| International Business | $48,500 | $48,500 | $27,000 |
Similar Colleges in ME
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Castine, ME
- Student Body
- 942 students
- Admission Rate
- 54%
- Graduation Rate
- 60%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $23,414
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $89,964
- Median Student Debt
- $27,000