Maine Maritime Academy

Maine Maritime Academy, as its name implies, is made for a specific kind of student. For those interested in engineering, transportation, and marine science, the school is top-notch, offering a hands-on approach that includes lots of practical experience on training ships. (The school does have an Arts & Sciences department for students with varying interests.) With just under 1,000 students and a roughly 80% acceptance rate, the academy isn't especially selective. The student body is mostly male and mostly white, and over half of students choose to join the Regiment of Midshipmen, which requires uniforms as well as standing watch and other duties. The training at MMA provides a solid career path: Recent grads report above-average earnings of $70,600, according to PayScale data, and the academy's website boasts a 90% job placement rate 90 days after graduation. Students report that the Maine Maritime Academy feels safe and the community is tight, although they also lament that the on-campus cooking is lacking. The school, located in Castine, a quiet town on Maine's seacoast, fields Division III teams in sports like basketball, cross country, sailing, and soccer. Greek life is minimal, but there are many aquatic-themed organizations available to join -- check out the Sea Scouts, Women on the Water, or Yacht Club.