Best Schools for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering graduates earn a median of $107,975 within four years of graduating, ranking #2 out of 283 tracked majors — 73% above the median across all fields. There are 6 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 417 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Maine Maritime Academy graduates earn $137,352 while Texas A&M University-College Station graduates earn $91,759 — a $45,593 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is moderate: Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering graduates see an average 8% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$107,975

Avg. 2yr Earnings

of 283 Majors

417

Graduates

Public vs Private: Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering

Public (5 schools)

$110,976

avg. 2yr earnings

Private (1 schools)

$92,972

avg. 2yr earnings

Public schools produce comparable or higher early earnings for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, often at lower tuition — making them strong value options for this major.

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering by State

Top Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Schools by Graduate Earnings

Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME · Public

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Buzzards Bay, MA · Public

SUNY Maritime College

Throggs Neck, NY · Public

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI · Public

$94,569

4yr Earnings

21 grads · small sample

2yr: $67,240 (23)

Acceptance: 17.9%

Webb Institute

Glen Cove, NY · Private

$92,972

4yr Earnings

22 grads · small sample

1yr: $70,908 (18)

Acceptance: 20.0%

Texas A&M University-College Station

College Station, TX · Public

Majors with Similar Earnings

Mathematics and Computer Science $84,401 Petroleum Engineering $74,887 Operations Research $73,589 Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering $72,650 Mining and Mineral Engineering $72,531 Construction Engineering $71,301

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering?

Maine Maritime Academy ranks #1 for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering with median graduate earnings of $137,352 within four years of graduating. There are 6 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering graduates earn?

Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering graduates earn an average of $107,975 within four years of graduating. This is 73% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $91,759 to $137,352 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering program?

The average acceptance rate across Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering programs is 55.9%. The most selective program is at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor with a 17.9% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Is a public or private school better for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering?

Private Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering programs average $92,972 in early earnings vs $110,976 at public schools. Public schools offer competitive earnings at typically lower cost, making them strong value options.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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