Maine Maritime Academy, as its name implies, is made for a specific kind of student. For those interested in engineering, logistics, transportation and marine science, the school is top-notch, offering a hands-on approach that includes practical experience aboard training vessels.
There are five departments within the school: Arts and Sciences, the Corning School of Ocean Studies, the Harold Alfond School of Engineering, the Loeb-Sullivan School of International Business and the Thompson School of Marine Transportation.
The academy has just under 1,000 students, and it offers associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees. Certain programs require students 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 graduates report above-average earnings, and the academy's website boasts an above-90% job placement rate within 90 days of graduation. For in-state students, MMA is a relative bargain. At around $117,945, Money finds that its net price of a degree is below average thanks in part to comparatively affordable tuition for residents and institutional scholarships.
The school is located in Castine, a quiet town on Maine's seacoast, and fields Division III teams in sports like basketball, cross country and soccer. Sailing is also a varsity sport, competing under intercollegiate sailing rules.
