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.
This page covers Marine Transportation as a course of study: what it costs, where it is taught, and what graduates go on to earn. It sits inside the wider field of Transportation and how it pays overall, which is the better comparison if you are still choosing between subjects.
Marine Transportation is a focused area of study within Transportation. Pick this and you can expect to earn around $117,011 four years out, a strong return for a focused credential. You will not have trouble finding it: 27 colleges offer this program, from community colleges to research universities. About 1,173 students complete it each year, most walking away with 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?
Four years after finishing Marine Transportation, a typical graduate earns $117,011, well above average for college graduates. Half of earners land somewhere between $85,693 and $144,815, so where you end up depends on the job and the employer. Do not judge the field on a starting paycheck alone: pay tends to jump in the first few years, climbing from $84,187 at one year out to $117,011 by year four. Source: College Scorecard.
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
Not every Marine Transportation graduate ends up in the same place. Earnings spread out widely, so know what pushes people to one end or the other. 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?
This degree does not lock you into one job. Marine Transportation graduates show up in 2 different occupations, and Ship Engineers pay the most at $109,530/yr median. Expand any card below 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
Not sure where to study Marine Transportation? These 13 colleges graduate the most students in it 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 not the only path through Transportation: 2 other specializations sit alongside it. The comparison below ranks them by 4-year median earnings so you can see where this one lands.
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 2 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.
Limited program availabilityOnly 27 colleges offer this program nationally, which may limit geographic flexibility when choosing a school.
$117,011 four years after finishing the program. Half of graduates land between $85,693 and $144,815, so employer, role, and location move that number more than the degree itself. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the starting salary for a Marine Transportation degree?
$84,187 in the first year out. That grows to $117,011 by year four, so do not judge this field on the entry-level number alone. Most of the gain shows up once you clear the first few years and move past entry-level roles. Source: College Scorecard.
What jobs can you get with a Marine Transportation degree?
Ship Engineers are one path, and it pays a median of $109,530 a year. It is not the only one: the Career Paths section below lists every occupation graduates actually go into, with wages and 10-year growth for each.
How long does a Marine Transportation program take?
One to two years of full-time study for most Marine Transportation certificates, and some community colleges get you through in a single semester. That makes it one of the fastest ways into the field.
How many colleges offer Marine Transportation?
27 colleges and universities, so you are not short on options. That range runs from community colleges granting certificates and associate degrees to research universities with full doctoral tracks. Source: IPEDS.
Is a Marine Transportation degree worth it?
$117,011 median earnings four years out against $14,248 a year in average net price. That is a fast payback, and it holds up especially well at lower-cost schools. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific schools before deciding. Source: College Scorecard.
What is the difference between Marine Transportation and Transportation?
Marine Transportation is the narrower of the two: Transportation covers the full discipline, while this program limits the curriculum to Marine Transportation-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. Pick the specialization once you already know this is the direction you want; it gets you a more targeted credential, not a broader one.
What skills do employers look for in Marine Transportation graduates?
Coursework alone will not get you hired. Employers hiring Marine Transportation graduates consistently look for 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. Build those into your coursework and internships now, and the job search later gets easier.
Is graduate school worth it for Marine Transportation graduates?
It can be. At a median salary of $117,011, graduate study in Marine Transportation tends to meaningfully raise long-term income, particularly through specialized or professional programs tied to high-demand roles. Weigh that against your own career goals, the program's cost, and whether your target role actually rewards the advanced credential.
What is the job outlook for Marine Transportation graduates?
Outlook is moderate overall: related occupations average +3.4% projected job growth over the next 10 years. Ship Captains & Mates are among the strongest-growth roles at +4.0%. That average hides real differences by role and location, so check the Career Paths section below for the projection on each specific occupation before you count on any single number.
Related Transportation Programs
Other programs in Transportation. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
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