At $21,781/yr net price, SUNY Maritime College graduates earn $95,951/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $61,951/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,781 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $87,124 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $95,951/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$61,951/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 74.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $23,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,478/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,378/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,225/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,922/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,193/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $87,973 | $25,064 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $86,129 | |
| Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. | Bachelor | $81,997 | $27,000 |
| Industrial Engineering. | Bachelor | $79,081 | $24,989 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $76,460 | $31,312 |
| Marine Transportation. | Bachelor | $73,446 | $23,250 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $68,219 | $26,000 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Bachelor | $52,107 | $19,500 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology. | Bachelor | $47,260 |
The Risk Factor
74.9% of students at SUNY Maritime College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 25% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
SUNY Maritime College delivers one of the strongest returns you'll find at a public college. A median of $95,951 ten years out, against a median debt near a single year's net price, means the math works in your favor before you account for the specialized maritime credentials this school builds you toward. That debt-to-earnings gap is the core of the pitch here, and it holds up.
The engineering and maritime programs are why. Mechanical engineering, naval architecture and marine engineering, and industrial engineering all clear $79,000, and the debt loads that come with them ($25,000 to $27,000) stay well below first-year earnings. Marine transportation pays less than the engineering tracks but carries the lowest debt of the group, so the payoff still lands. Business administration, management and operations pays second-highest of the listed majors. All the top earners here are bachelor's programs, so you can take these numbers at face value.
The main risk is fit. Maritime is a narrow field tied to shipping, marine operations, and licensing. If you enroll expecting a general-purpose degree and drop out, the specialized curriculum won't transfer cleanly elsewhere, and the roughly 20% of students who don't return after year one bear that cost. Come here committed to a maritime or engineering path.
On price, families under $48,000 pay around $15,000 a year, roughly $6,000 to $11,000 below the higher tiers. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay the most at $26,193, and the sub-$75k jump is steep. But even at the top tier, the earnings outcomes make this an easy financial case.
Go here if you want a maritime or engineering career and will finish. Look elsewhere if you're undecided or want a broad liberal-arts degree, since the narrow focus is the whole point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SUNY Maritime College worth the cost?
SUNY Maritime College delivers strong ROI with graduates earning $95,951 ten years after graduation while carrying relatively low debt of $23,250. The specialized maritime and engineering programs lead to high-paying careers that justify the $21,781 annual net price.
What are the highest paying majors at SUNY Maritime College?
Mechanical Engineering tops the list at $87,973, followed by Business Administration at $86,129 and Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at $81,997. Even the lower-paying programs still produce graduates earning over $76,000 annually.
How much debt do SUNY Maritime College graduates typically have?
The median debt is $23,250, which is manageable given the school's strong earning outcomes. This debt-to-income ratio makes SUNY Maritime a relatively safe financial choice compared to many other colleges.
Does SUNY Maritime College have good job placement after graduation?
With a 74.90% graduation rate and strong industry connections in maritime and engineering sectors, job prospects are solid. The specialized nature of the programs creates a direct pipeline to well-paying careers in shipping, engineering, and related industries.