Best institutions to study Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Compare 15 U.S. colleges offering Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 11 states.
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering programs report a median of $100,024 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 14.22 and the Marine Engineers and Naval Architects occupation (BLS SOC).
About Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering programs
The Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering program focuses on the engineering design process, shipbuilding, maintenance, and operation of marine vessels and structures. This discipline combines elements of mechanical, electrical, electronic, software, and safety engineering, making it ideal for students interested in the maritime industry and engineering challenges related to marine vehicles.
Learn more about Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering →
Students in this program will gain essential skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and science, alongside knowledge in engineering and technology. Coursework typically includes design principles, stability analyses, and compliance with international regulations, equipping graduates to tackle real-world engineering problems.
Top 4 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine Maritime Academy Castine, ME Public · Bachelor's degree | $108,130 | 61 | 58% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, MA Public · Bachelor's degree | $100,024 | 61 | 74% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | SUNY Maritime College Throggs Neck, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $92,559 | 24 | 64% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | Webb Institute Glen Cove, NY Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $75,834 | 26 | 88% | $18,584 | — |
Offered across 11 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainelimited | 2 | $108,130 | Maine Maritime Academy |
| Massachusettslimited | 1 | $100,024 | Massachusetts Maritime Academy |
| New York | 3 | $92,559 | SUNY Maritime College |
| Connecticutlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Floridalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Louisianalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Marylandlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| Pennsylvanialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Virginialimited | 2 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2121, Marine Engineers and Naval Architects, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering program can expect a positive job outlook, with an estimated growth rate of 5.8% and about 600 annual openings in the field. The median wage for professionals in this area is approximately $105,670, and a typical education requirement is a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.22.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.22 (Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering) maps to 3 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2121 | Marine Engineers and Naval Architectsprimary |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Perform monitoring activities to ensure that ships comply with international regulations and standards for life-saving equipment and pollution preventatives.
- Design complete hull and superstructure according to specifications and test data, in conformity with standards of safety, efficiency, and economy.
- Conduct analyses of ships, such as stability, structural, weight, and vibration analyses.
- Study design proposals and specifications to establish basic characteristics of craft, such as size, weight, speed, propulsion, displacement, and draft.
- Maintain contact with, and formulate reports for, contractors and clients to ensure completion of work at minimum cost.
- Coordinate activities with regulatory bodies to ensure repairs and alterations are at minimum cost and consistent with safety.
Concentrations within Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Naval Architecture and Marine EngineeringCIP 14.2201
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and scientific principles to the design, development and operational evaluation of self-propelled, stationary, or towed vessels operating on o
Common questions
What is naval architecture?+
Naval architecture is an engineering discipline that involves the design, construction, and maintenance of marine vessels and structures.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, science, and engineering design.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is favorable, with a growth rate of 5.8% and about 600 annual openings.
What is the typical salary for this field?+
The median wage for naval architects and marine engineers is approximately $105,670.
How much do Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering graduates earn?+
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering graduates report median earnings of $100,024 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Marine Engineers and Naval Architects occupation pays about $124,180 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering?+
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering maps to CIP 14.22 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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