Vallejo, CA · Private University
Is California State University Maritime Academy Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$94,784
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$7,672
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$19,552
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$78,208
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
4.85x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
1.3 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
66.8%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$24,965
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$17,555
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
California State University Maritime Academy graduates earn $49,784 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at California State University Maritime Academy ranked by graduate earnings
19 graduates
46 graduates
92 graduates
42 graduates
47 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at California State University Maritime Academy
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At California State University Maritime Academy, the gap between the highest-earning major (Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other: $115,589) and the lowest (International Relations and National Security Studies: $42,924) is $72,665/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians, OtherBest ROI(1yr data) | $115,589 | 5.9x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $101,325 | 5.2x |
| Marine Transportation | $98,863 | 5.1x |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians(1yr data) | $98,661 | 5.0x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $83,752 | 4.3x |
| International Relations and National Security StudiesLowest(1yr data) | $42,924 | 2.2x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
California State University Maritime Academy stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $94,784 10 years after starting, $49,784 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 1.3 years, faster than most colleges.
Ready to apply to California State University Maritime Academy?
See your odds of admission based on your GPA and test scores.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.