The Maritime Academy Route › Maine Maritime Academy
The short answer
- A state maritime academy in Castine, Maine, offering Coast Guard license programs for deck and engine officers.
- 2026–27 direct costs for unlimited-license majors: about $51,200 in-state, $61,300 New England regional, $75,900 out-of-state.
What it costs
| Maine resident | New England regional | Out-of-state | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $18,804 | $28,840 | $44,960 |
| Food & housing | $12,560 | $12,560 | $12,560 |
| General fees | $3,552 | $3,552 | $3,552 |
| Medical insurance | $2,550 | $2,550 | $2,550 |
| Unlimited license program fee | $8,020 | $8,020 | $8,020 |
| Cruise / co-op | $1,260 | $1,260 | $1,260 |
| Uniforms & regimental items | $3,010 | $3,010 | $3,010 |
| Direct cost | $51,228 | $61,264 | $75,912 |
| Books, personal, travel, laptop (estimate) | $6,540 | $7,040 | $6,040 |
| Total estimated cost | $57,768 | $68,304 | $81,952 |
2026–2027, students in unlimited-license majors. Non-license majors have a different fee structure. Source: Maine Maritime Academy 2026–2027 Cost of Attendance.
Student Incentive Payment (SIP) program
Students at the six state maritime academies can apply for MARAD's Student Incentive Payment program, which pays up to $64,000 over four academic years. It is optional, and it comes with a service obligation: keep a Merchant Mariner Credential with an officer endorsement for at least six years, sail as a merchant marine officer on U.S.-flagged vessels for at least three years, and accept a reserve commission and serve at least eight years. Breaking the agreement can mean being ordered to active duty or repaying the money with interest. MARAD SIP booklet (2024)
Before you apply
- Check that you can qualify for a Merchant Mariner Credential, including the medical standards, before you commit. Before You Spend Money →
- Ask the academy which majors lead to an unlimited Third Mate or Third Assistant Engineer license; not every major does.
- Ask what is not in the published cost: uniforms, sea terms, travel to the ship, and licensing fees.
Official sources
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