Students who live in the New York area and are interested in the maritime industry will have a difficult 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 relatively inexpensive 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.
Maritime schools tend to be very career-focused and hands-on, preparing students for jobs related to merchant marine operations (think: mechanical engineering, marine sciences, and international trade and shipping). That preparation pays off. Virtually all SUNY Maritime grads are able to find work quickly, and at roughly $96,000, the median salary 10 years after enrollment, careers tend to be high-paying.
SUNY Maritime is a bit more relaxed in tone than some other maritime colleges, perhaps because its 1,500 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.) They can also participate in 16 varsity sports and more than 60 clubs and organizations. The school features a close-knit community, with most students living on-campus. It is located — surprise!— on the waterfront, about a 30-minute trip from Manhattan.
