Marine Transportation at Texas A&M University-College Station

Texas A&M's Marine Transportation program launches graduates into six-figure careers faster than almost any maritime program in the country. With $87,444 in first-year earnings that grow to over $100,000 by year four, graduates rank in the 93rd percentile nationally—placing them among the elite in this specialized field. The $25,000 median debt translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.29, meaning graduates earn back their entire educational investment in roughly four months of work.

The context matters here: only seven schools nationwide offer this bachelor's program, making it inherently selective in the marketplace. As the sole Texas provider, A&M holds a regional monopoly that appears to serve students well. While the 60th state percentile ranking might seem middling at first glance, it's somewhat misleading given there's only one other Texas program to compare against. The real story is that 15% earnings growth trajectory and those strong absolute numbers—graduates are entering the merchant marine officer track or maritime logistics roles that command serious compensation from day one.

The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) suggests stable but not massive program cohorts, which aligns with the specialized nature of maritime careers. For families comfortable with a niche career path that requires time at sea, this program delivers exceptional financial returns with manageable debt.