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STATE MARITIME ACADEMY

Texas A&M Maritime Academy

The Gulf Coast state maritime academy, at Texas A&M University at Galveston.

The Maritime Academy Route › Texas A&M Maritime Academy

The short answer

What it costs

Texas A&M states that all cadets receive in-state tuition. The waiver, which began in fall 2025, applies to U.S. undergraduates in Coast Guard license programs. For comparison, in spring 2025 a license-program student paid $6,806 in tuition for the semester at the in-state rate, versus $10,406 at the out-of-state rate. Galveston County Daily News

Tuition varies by program and rate plan, and housing, dining and uniforms are extra. Use Texas A&M's tuition calculator for current figures. Tuition calculator →

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

Costs change every year. Figures on this page come from the sources linked below and were checked in October 2026. Confirm current costs, admission requirements and deadlines with the academy before you apply. Mariners Online is not affiliated with any academy, MARAD or the Coast Guard.
Compare all seven academiesCosts side by side, and how the academy route compares with hawsepiping.Not sure an academy is for you?See the hawsepipe route to Third Mate.

Official sources

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