Only 27 colleges in the country offer Marine Transportation, which means graduates enter the workforce from a smaller, more specialized pool. Median earnings four years out: $117,011.
Marine Transportation is a focused area of study within Transportation. Graduates typically earn around $117,011 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. The program is available at 27 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 1,173 students complete this program each year, most earning a certificate. Training is practical and skills-based, with a fast path from classroom to job site.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$84,187
Median Earnings · 4yr
$117,011
Colleges Offering
27
Graduates / Year
1,173
Avg Net Price / yr
$14,248
How Much Do Marine Transportation Graduates Earn?
Marine Transportation graduates earn $117,011 four years out, well above average for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $85,693 and $144,815. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $84,187 climbs to $117,011 by year four.
$84,187
1 Year After Graduation
Earnings grow steadily as you advance past entry-level roles. The four-year figure is a better long-term target.
$117,011
4-Year National Median
Well above average for college graduates.
$117,176
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a wide earnings spread across Marine Transportation graduates. Region and union membership drive the gap more than any other factor. Union jobs in high-cost metros pay significantly more than non-union positions elsewhere.
$85,69325th pct.
$117,011Median
$144,81575th pct.
Why This Program Pays Off Fast
Strong ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $117,011 against an estimated $56,992 four-year net cost, most graduates break even against baseline wages in under two years.
Based on outcomes from 7 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 1,173 students who complete Marine Transportation programs each year, the majority (47%) earn a certificate degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
47%46%
Certificate47%
Bachelor's46%
Associate's6%
What Can You Do With a Marine Transportation Degree?
Marine Transportation connects to 2 occupations in the job market. Ship Engineers leads at $109,530/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Critical ThinkingOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshooting
Day-to-day responsibilities
Supervise and coordinate activities of crew engaged in operating and maintaining engines, boilers, deck machinery, and electrical, sanitary, and refrigeration equipment aboard ship.
Monitor engine, machinery, or equipment indicators when vessels are underway, and report abnormalities to appropriate shipboard staff.
Monitor the availability, use, or condition of lifesaving equipment or pollution preventatives to ensure that international regulations are followed.
Monitor and test operations of engines or other equipment so that malfunctions and their causes can be identified.
Operation and ControlSpeakingMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingOperations Monitoring
Day-to-day responsibilities
Command or supervise operations of ships and water vessels, such as tugboats and ferryboats. Required to hold license issued by U.S. Coast Guard.
Direct courses and speeds of ships, based on specialized knowledge of local winds, weather, water depths, tides, currents, and hazards.
Prevent ships under navigational control from engaging in unsafe operations.
Serve as a vessel's docking master upon arrival at a port or at a berth.
Top Colleges for Marine Transportation
The 13 colleges below are ranked by how many Marine Transportation students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Ranked by Marine Transportation graduate volume. Scroll right to compare key stats.
Read our methodology →
Related Transportation Programs
Marine Transportation is one of 3 specializations within Transportation. The comparison below shows where this program ranks by 4-year median earnings.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Marine Transportation program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Marine Transportation shows 4 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Strong median salaryGraduates earn $117,011 nationally four years out, placing this field above most degree programs in the country.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $84,187 at graduation to $117,011 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
High upside potentialTop earners (75th percentile) in this program reach $144,815, a strong ceiling for high performers.
Flexible credential pathsPrograms are available from certificate and associate levels through bachelor's and graduate degrees, giving students real options based on timeline and goals.
CONS
Licensure often requiredMany positions in this field require trade licenses, certifications, or apprenticeship completion. These add time and cost beyond the academic credential.
Slow job growthTop related careers project less than 3% growth over the next decade; limited expansion means more competition for new openings.
Limited program availabilityOnly 27 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
Marine Transportation graduates earn a national median of $117,011 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $85,693 and $144,815. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Marine Transportation degree?
One year after graduation, Marine Transportation degree holders earn a median of $84,187. That climbs to $117,011 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Marine Transportation degree?
Marine Transportation degree holders pursue careers including Ship Engineers, which pays a median of $109,530/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Marine Transportation program take?
Most Marine Transportation certificate programs take one to two years of full-time study. Some are available in as little as one semester at community colleges.
How many colleges offer Marine Transportation?
27 colleges and universities in the United States offer Marine Transportation programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Marine Transportation degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $117,011 and an average net price of roughly $14,248/yr, a Marine Transportation degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Marine Transportation and Transportation?
Marine Transportation is a focused concentration within the broader Transportation field. The Transportation major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Marine Transportation-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Marine Transportation graduates?
Employers hiring Marine Transportation graduates consistently prioritize technical proficiency, safety compliance, and hands-on problem-solving. Certifications, apprenticeships, and demonstrated practical experience typically carry as much weight as academic credentials in this field.
Is graduate school worth it for Marine Transportation graduates?
With a median salary of $117,011, graduate study in Marine Transportation can meaningfully increase long-term income, particularly for specialized or professional programs aligned with high-demand roles. The right answer depends on your career goals, program cost, and whether your target role explicitly rewards an advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Marine Transportation graduates?
The job outlook for Marine Transportation graduates is slow overall. Related occupations project an average of +1.1% job growth over the next 10 years. Ship Engineers is among the strongest-growth roles at +1.6%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Transportation Programs
Other programs in Transportation. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
All 38 Majors, Ranked by What Graduates Earn
The highest-earning college major out-pays the lowest by a factor of two and a half. The full ranking of all 38 fields by median graduate earnings, with job growth alongside.
Major earnings
Highest paying majors
Job growth
STEM
Field of study
Does Engineering Tech Out-Earn Engineering? The Data Says No
A popular claim holds that the applied engineering-tech degree pays more than the theoretical one. Across every program, engineering wins by about $10,000.
Engineering tech
Engineering
Program earnings
Applied degree
Technician careers
STEM Is Not One Thing: The Pay Gap Within STEM
Across 88 STEM programs the top one out-earns the bottom by $65,000 a year. Operations research pays $122,531; environmental design pays $57,461.
STEM earnings
Engineering pay
Computer science
Program earnings
Major choice
Continue Exploring
Browse our full directory: every college, major, program, and career we track, all built from verified government data.
