Best institutions to study Marine Transportation
Any instructional program in water transportation not listed above.
9 U.S. institutions graduated 83 Marine Transportation students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 49.0399, a specialization of Marine Transportation (CIP 49.03), and leads most directly to the Motorboat Operators occupation (BLS SOC 53-5022).
About Marine Transportation programs
Any instructional program in water transportation not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Marine Transportation program focuses on the essential skills and knowledge required for careers in water transportation. This program is designed for individuals interested in navigating and operating various types of vessels, ensuring safety and efficiency in marine environments. Students will gain practical experience and theoretical understanding necessary for a successful career in this field.
Core coursework in the Marine Transportation program includes essential skills such as monitoring, critical thinking, and effective communication. Students will also learn about customer service, public safety, and the mechanics of transportation, all vital for ensuring safe and efficient marine operations.
Credentials awarded
What Marine Transportation graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year43 graduates / yr · 6 institutions52%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years22 graduates / yr · 3 institutions27%
- Associate's degree18 graduates / yr · 5 institutions22%
Graduates over time
Marine Transportation completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2014 | 37 |
| 2015 | 30 |
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2017 | 48 |
| 2018 | 65 |
| 2019 | 50 |
| 2020 | 44 |
| 2021 | 57 |
| 2022 | 34 |
| 2023 | 61 |
| 2024 | 58 |
| 2025 | 83 |
Top 9 institutions for Marine Transportation, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 16 | 48% | — |
| 2 | College of the Marshall Islands Majuro, MHPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 18% | — |
| 3 | Lamar State College - Orange Orange, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 14 | 37% | — |
| 4 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Hohenwald Hohenwald, TNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 65% | — |
| 5 | University of Alaska Southeast Juneau, AKPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 7 | 28% | — |
| 6 | West Kentucky Community and Technical College Paducah, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 7 | 50% | — |
| 7 | Northshore Technical Community College Lacombe, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 40% | — |
| 8 | The Landing School Arundel, MEPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 6 | 100% | $24,342 |
| 9 | Clatsop Community College Astoria, ORPublicAssociate's | 4 | 29% | — |
Offered in 9 states & territories
Where Marine Transportation graduates come from. Each state links to all Marine Transportation programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 1 | 16 | Orange Coast College16 / yr |
| Marshall Islands | 1 | 15 | College of the Marshall Islands15 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 14 | Lamar State College - Orange14 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 8 | Tennessee College of Applied Technology - Hohenwald8 / yr |
| Alaska | 1 | 7 | University of Alaska Southeast7 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 7 | West Kentucky Community and Technical College7 / yr |
| Louisiana | 1 | 6 | Northshore Technical Community College6 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 6 | The Landing School6 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 4 | Clatsop Community College4 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 53-5022, Motorboat Operators, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Marine Transportation program can pursue careers as Motorboat Operators, among other roles. The job outlook indicates a growth rate of 1.4%, with approximately 300 annual openings and a median wage of $51,880. Most positions typically require a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 49.0399
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Motorboat Operatorsprimary SOC 53-5022 | $47,520 | +1.4% Little or no change | ~300 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Marine Transportation programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Operate engine throttles and steering mechanisms to guide boats on desired courses.
- Direct safety operations in emergency situations.
- Secure boats to docks with mooring lines, and cast off lines to enable departure.
- Maintain desired courses, using compasses or electronic navigational aids.
- Organize and direct the activities of crew members.
- Follow safety procedures to ensure the protection of passengers, cargo, and vessels.
Tools and technology used
Other Marine Transportation specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Marine Transportation (CIP 49.03).
- DiverCIP 49.0304partial data504 graduates / yr7 institutions
- Marine Science/CIP 49.0309
Merchant Marine Officer 501 graduates / yr10 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Commercial Fishing49.0303
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What types of credentials can I earn in this program?+
You can earn awards ranging from at least 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years, or an Associate's degree.
What skills will I develop in the Marine Transportation program?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What is the job outlook for Marine Transportation graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with a growth rate of 1.4% and around 300 annual job openings.
What is the median wage for careers in Marine Transportation?+
The median wage for positions such as Motorboat Operators is approximately $51,880.
What is the CIP code for Marine Transportation?+
Marine Transportation is CIP 49.0399 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Marine Transportation (CIP 49.03). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in water transportation not listed above.
How many institutions offer Marine Transportation programs?+
9 U.S. institutions reported Marine Transportation graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 9 states & territories, awarding 83 credentials in the year. That is 7.6% of all Marine Transportation graduates.
How much do Marine Transportation graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Motorboat Operators occupation, which Marine Transportation most directly leads to, pays a median of $47,520 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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