by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering will allow you to design, build, and maintain many different types of ships. You have the opportunity to work with everything from very large aircraft carriers to submarines to sailboats. If you are interested in working with ships that help maintain our navel defense system, a degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering is for you.
Marine Engineering is math and science oriented. You will take classes in civil engineering, architectural engineering, drafting, physics, computer aided design and more to develop the skills to choose proper materials, calculate ship strength, and oversee building and maintenance.
While a degree in marine engineering can lead to working on any type of oceanic vessel, a degree in Naval Architecture most often leads to a career working on ships in the U.S. Navy. Those who study Naval Architecture at the U.S. Naval Academy with not only earn a degree, but also be commissioned into the U.S. Navy as an officer.
In 2021-2022, marine engineering was the 285th most popular major nationwide with 440 degrees awarded. Our 2025 Best Marine Engineering Schools ranking analyzes 5 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for marine engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of marine engineering programs later in this article.
Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering are careers that rely heavily on mathematics and science. Strong backgrounds in both fields are required for this profession. Problem-solving and teamwork skills are also required especially when drafting blueprints and working with others to design and test ships. Since a degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering will lead to a position of management, communication and interpersonal skills are mandatory when meeting with clients or leading a team of builders.
Professional Marine Engineers often work in office settings with access to computer design equipment and other engineering tools, but sometimes they must go out on ships for testing or to oversee maintenance. Experience is important in this field. While earning your degree, it is recommended to also work at an internship. This will allow you to gain valuable hands-on experience. Relevant experience will make graduates more attractive to potential employers.
Along with earning a degree in Naval Architecture or Marine Engineering, graduates must also obtain a mariner's license from the U.S. Coast Guard. After completing the test, graduates with receive a 3rd Assistant License. Additional testing will allow graduates to work towards a 2nd, 1st, and ultimately Chief Assistant License. More advanced licenses typically lead toward jobs with higher pay.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most marine engineering degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional marine engineering certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of marine engineering degrees. You can spend many years getting as high as a in marine engineering to something that takes less time like a . Different marine engineering degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to marine engineering, with approximately 42.2% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to marine engineering tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 47.8% |
| Doctoral Degree | 17.8% |
| Master’s Degree | 15.8% |
| High School Diploma | 3.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 3.8% |
Most workers in marine engineering have at least a bachelor's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in marine engineering have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which marine engineering career you choose.
A degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering will often lead to a career at a marine architecture firm. Graduates have also followed career paths in shipbuilding or joined the U.S. Navy.
Want a job when you graduate with your marine engineering degree? Marine Engineering careers are expected to grow 7.6% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to marine engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | 9,200 | 12.2% |
Marine Engineering graduates between <nil> reported earning an average of $96,840 in the <nil> timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $72,361 to as high as $108,130. As you might expect, salaries for marine engineering graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for marine engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers marine engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $98,970 |
With over 21 different marine engineering degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased marine engineering school rankings to help you with this.
Marine Engineering is one of 41 different types of Engineering programs to choose from.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering | 440 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 44,794 |
| Electrical Engineering | 26,528 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,655 |
| Computer Engineering | 16,954 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 13,222 |
