SUNY Maritime College

Students who live in the New York area and dream of a career in the maritime industry will have a tough time finding a better deal than the State University of New York's Maritime College in the Bronx. One of just seven degree-granting maritime institutions in the U.S., SUNY Maritime is ultra-cheap for New York residents. The school also offers a discount to its out-of-state rate for students who live "in region," which includes most states on the Atlantic seaboard. SUNY Maritime is a bit more relaxed in tone than some other maritime colleges, perhaps because its 1,800 or so students have the option to pursue a "civilian" track that doesn't require them to wear a uniform or adhere to military-style rules. (In practice, however, most undergrads opt to join the Regiment of Cadets and earn a Coast Guard license.) The school also features a close-knit community, with most students living on-campus. Virtually all SUNY Maritime grads are able to find work within a few months of graduation, and their average starting salaries are well above average. The school is located -- surprise! -- on the waterfront, about a half-hour trip from Manhattan.