Find Trade Colleges
2026 Best Marine Transportation Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Marine Transportation associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 27 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Trade College reviewed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Marine Transportation Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Leading the list is San Jacinto Community College, our #1 Marine Transportation school in the United States. Set in Pasadena, TX, San Jacinto Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. The median Marine Transportation program debt is $11,376. Read the full report on San Jacinto Community College
The strong Marine Transportation programs at Maine Maritime Academy earned it the #2 place in the United States. This public school is set in Castine, ME. Maine Maritime Academy graduates 59% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,158, with out-of-state students paying around $31,102. Maine Maritime Academy Marine Transportation students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Read more about Maine Maritime Academy
You'll be in good company at Santa Barbara City College, which ranked #3 this year. Read more about Santa Barbara City College
College Of The Marshall Islands came in at #4 on this year's Marine Transportation ranking in the United States. See the full College Of The Marshall Islands profile
Saddleback College came in at #5 on this year's Marine Transportation ranking in the United States. See the full Saddleback College profile
University Of Alaska Southeast ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Transportation schools. More on University Of Alaska Southeast
Northshore Technical Community College came in at #7 in this year's ranking. See the full Northshore Technical Community College profile
Ocean Corporation ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Transportation schools. Read the full report on Ocean Corporation
California Maritime Academy ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Transportation schools. Read the full report on California Maritime Academy
Divers Institute Of Technology placed #10 among Marine Transportation schools in the United States. Read the full report on Divers Institute Of Technology
Seattle Community College Central Campus landed the #11 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Seattle Community College Central Campus
Clatsop Community College placed #12 among Marine Transportation schools in the United States. See the full Clatsop Community College profile
Northwestern Michigan College landed the #13 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Northwestern Michigan College report
West Kentucky Community And Technical College landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. See the full West Kentucky Community And Technical College profile
Massachusetts Maritime Academy did well this year, earning the #15 position. Get the full Massachusetts Maritime Academy report
Orange Coast College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Transportation schools. Get the full Orange Coast College report
South Louisiana Community College placed #17 among Marine Transportation schools in the United States. More on South Louisiana Community College
Alpena Community College placed #18 among Marine Transportation schools in the United States. Read more about Alpena Community College
Lamar State College Orange landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. More on Lamar State College Orange
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Read more about Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Hohenwald
Irvine Valley College came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on Irvine Valley College
Florida Keys Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Transportation schools. More on Florida Keys Community College
Commercial Divers International came in at #23 in this year's ranking. See the full Commercial Divers International profile
The Landing School came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Read the full report on The Landing School
Texas A And M University College Station placed #25 among Marine Transportation schools in the United States. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
Rest of the Top 15% Best Marine Transportation Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
United States Merchant Marine Academy ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Marine Transportation schools. More on United States Merchant Marine Academy
Suny Maritime College landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. See the full Suny Maritime College profile
Related Marine Transportation Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Marine Transportation Schools (All Levels)
- Best Marine Transportation Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Marine Transportation Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Marine Transportation Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Marine Transportation Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Marine Transportation Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Marine Transportation Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Trade College (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 27 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
TradeCollege.org provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. TradeCollege.org is a for-profit site, and the displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© TradeCollege.org – All Rights Reserved.