Maine Maritime Academy: 57.7% Acceptance Rate

57.7%Acceptance

$14,746Tuition

888Students

61%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$89,964Earnings

#5 in MainePublic4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Maine Maritime Academy

Maine Maritime Academy trains the next generation of ship captains, marine engineers, and ocean industry professionals. The college enrolls 888 students on a rural campus in historic Castine, where the Penobscot River meets the sea. Students learn seamanship through hands-on training aboard the academy's 500-foot training vessel and through rigorous programs in marine engineering, marine transportation, and ocean studies. The academy has produced countless merchant marine officers who command cargo ships, tankers, and cruise vessels worldwide.

Students pay an average net price of $21,185 after financial aid, with graduates earning a median of $89,964 ten years after graduation. Recent graduates start strong with median earnings of $93,824 in their first year out. Students typically graduate with $27,000 in debt and monthly loan payments of $286. The employment rate of 98.9% reflects the high demand for maritime professionals. Only 25% of students receive federal aid, suggesting many families can afford the full cost.

The student body is 80% male, reflecting the traditionally male-dominated maritime industry. Students compete in 15 varsity sports as the Mariners in NCAA Division III. The 10:1 student-faculty ratio ensures intensive mentoring in technical fields. The 82% retention rate shows most students adapt well to the academy's demanding military-style structure and maritime focus.

Academics & Faculty

Maine Maritime Academy specializes in training future maritime officers and engineers for careers in shipping, naval architecture, and ocean industries. The school's focused mission means students dive deep into specialized programs like marine engineering, maritime business, and ocean studies rather than traditional liberal arts coursework. With a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive intensive hands-on training that's essential for maritime careers. The 64% four-year graduation rate reflects the rigorous nature of maritime programs, where students must master both theoretical knowledge and practical seamanship skills. MMA graduates command some of the highest starting salaries in the region, with median earnings of $94,000 just one year after graduation, reflecting the specialized technical expertise employers value.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Full-Time Faculty: 77.6%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 63.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 61.4%
Retention Rate: 82.0%
Median Earnings (10 years): $89,964
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$106,421
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.	Bachelor	$97,705
Marine Transportation.	Bachelor	$82,440
Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other.	Bachelor	$81,997
Systems Engineering.	Bachelor	$63,749
International Business.	Bachelor	$49,464

View all 16 programs →

Campus Life

Campus sits on a peninsula jutting into Penobscot Bay, about two hours from Portland and three from Boston. With housing capacity for 662 students and total enrollment of 888, around three-quarters live on campus in this tight-knit maritime community. You'll need serious winter gear as coastal Maine temperatures drop well below freezing, with snow lasting from December through March.

The 10:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate academic environment where professors know every student by name. With 79.84% male enrollment, the campus has a distinctly masculine, military-influenced culture shaped by the regimental system all students participate in. Weekends revolve around sailing, hiking coastal trails, and the occasional trip to nearby Bar Harbor. The training ship State of Maine dominates campus life when cadets prepare for sea voyages. Small-town Castine offers little nightlife, so students create their own entertainment through intramural sports among the 15 varsity teams or exploring Maine's rugged coastline. The isolation builds strong bonds among the 888 students who share this unique maritime education experience.

Setting: Rural-Distant
Housing Capacity: 662 beds
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1941

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 10°–29°F
July Avg: 56°–77°F
Annual Precipitation: 48.8"
Annual Snowfall: 71.5"

Student Demographics

Maine Maritime draws students serious about careers on the water, with nearly 80% men reflecting the male-dominated maritime industry. Two-thirds come from Maine, showing the academy's strong reputation among local families who understand the value of maritime careers. About one in four students receives Pell Grants, making this a path to middle-class careers for working-class families. The student body knows exactly why they're here: to become ship officers, marine engineers, and industry professionals in one of America's most specialized career tracks.

Men: 79.8%
Women: 20.2%
White: 82.6%
Black: 2.6%
Hispanic: 5.4%
Asian: 1.2%
In-State Students: 65.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 24.7%

Location

Maine Maritime Academy sits in Castine, a historic coastal village of just 1,300 residents on Penobscot Bay. The campus lies roughly 40 miles southeast of Bangor, Maine's third-largest city. This rural setting puts students directly on the water where they can practice seamanship skills. Castine's maritime heritage dates back centuries, with the town serving as a natural laboratory for studying ocean industries. The academy's 35-acre campus overlooks the bay, giving students immediate access to working waterfront facilities. The remote location means limited nightlife but abundant outdoor recreation along Maine's rugged coastline. Students considering colleges in Maine may also compare Maine Maritime Academy with similar schools in the region.

Address: Castine, Maine 04420-0001

Main Campus, Maine Maritime Academy in Castine IMG

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $89,964
Median Earnings (5 years): $107,211
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $82,000
Loan Repayment Rate: 87.8%
Monthly Loan Payment: $286/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $27,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Maine Maritime Academy?

Maine Maritime Academy accepts 57.65% of applicants with an average SAT score of 1175. The academy selects students who can handle rigorous maritime training programs that prepare officers for the merchant marine and naval careers.

How much does Maine Maritime Academy cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $21,185 annually, with families earning under $30,000 paying just $12,499. The specialized maritime education leads to strong earning potential, as graduates typically earn $89,964 ten years after graduation.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Maine Maritime Academy?

The academy maintains a 10:1 student-faculty ratio with just 888 total students. This small size allows for hands-on training in maritime sciences, marine engineering, and vessel operations that larger universities cannot provide.

Does Maine Maritime Academy have good job placement rates?

An impressive 98.9% of graduates find employment, reflecting the high demand for maritime professionals. Recent graduates earn a median of $93,824 in their first year, well above the national average for college graduates.

Where is Maine Maritime Academy located?

The academy sits in rural Castine, Maine, a historic seaport town on Penobscot Bay. The waterfront campus provides direct access to training vessels and maritime facilities essential for the hands-on education of future ship officers.

Is Maine Maritime Academy primarily male?

Men make up 79.84% of the student body, reflecting the traditionally male-dominated maritime industry. The academy actively recruits women into marine transportation and ocean engineering programs as the industry seeks to diversify its workforce.