At $26,661/yr net price, Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates earn $82,392/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $48,392/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $26,661 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $106,644 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $82,392/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$48,392/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 79.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,269/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,843/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,919/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,991/yr |
| $110,001+ | $33,261/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering-Related Fields. | Master | $97,071 | |
| Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. | Bachelor | $89,968 | $27,000 |
| Marine Transportation. | Bachelor | $81,886 | $23,250 |
| Engineering, Other. | Bachelor | $73,035 | $26,000 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other. | Master | $64,913 | $33,263 |
| Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other. | Bachelor | $50,439 | $25,000 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor | $50,231 | $26,000 |
| International Business. | Bachelor | $49,631 | $25,000 |
The Risk Factor
79.1% of students at Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 21% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Massachusetts Maritime Academy delivers a strong financial return, and the reason is narrow and specific: its maritime and engineering programs feed directly into licensed, high-paying jobs. A median debt of $25,000 against $82,392 in median earnings means you pay off your loans on earnings that clear the debt in the first year. The 79% graduation rate backs that up, because you actually finish and get to those wages.
The payoff is concentrated in the water. Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering and Marine Transportation both clear $80,000 and lead directly to shipboard and licensed positions along the coast. Choose Homeland Security or Natural Resources Conservation instead, and your earnings land around $50,000 while your debt stays near $26,000 , roughly the same borrowing for $30,000 less annual pay. Those two programs weaken the school's overall numbers, so the degree you pick here matters more than the school name.
The risk is that the maritime job market is cyclical and geographically tied to shipping and port work. If you don't want to work at sea or in that industry, the top-earning programs lose their point, and you're left with the lower-paying majors at a full sticker price of $26,661 a year.
Net price scales hard with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $5,269 , one of the better deals in public higher education. Between $75,000 and $110,000, that jumps to $23,991, and above $110,000 you pay $33,261, more than the listed average.
This school fits you if you want a maritime or engineering license and are willing to work in that field. If you're aiming for the protective-services or conservation tracks, or you come from a higher-income family paying full freight, the math is far less convincing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Massachusetts Maritime Academy worth the cost compared to other colleges?
Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates earn $82,392 after 10 years with median debt of $25,000, giving it a strong debt-to-income ratio. The school's focus on maritime and engineering fields leads to higher starting salaries than most liberal arts programs.
What are the highest paying programs at Massachusetts Maritime Academy?
Engineering-Related Fields top the list at $97,071 annually, followed by Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at $89,968. Even the lower-paying programs like Homeland Security still average $64,913, well above the national median.
How much debt do Massachusetts Maritime Academy students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $25,000, which is manageable given graduate earnings of $82,000+. With a net price of $26,661 per year, many students can limit borrowing through financial aid and work opportunities.
Does Massachusetts Maritime Academy have good job prospects after graduation?
The 79% graduation rate combined with specialized maritime training leads to strong employment in shipping, engineering, and marine industries. The school's industry connections and hands-on training typically result in job placement rates above average for similar programs.