Massachusetts Maritime Academy — ROI, Cost & Payback
Massachusetts Maritime Academy charges a net price of $21,582/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $86,328. Graduates earn a median $82,392 ten years after entry, $34,032/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 2.5 years — a 20-year net return of $594,312, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
Massachusetts Maritime Academy's 2.5-year payback ranks #124 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 90% of them, and #9 of 85 in Massachusetts.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $21,582/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $86,328 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $82,392 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $34,032/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $25,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 2.5 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $594,312 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on Massachusetts Maritime Academy's own numbers. Net price $21,582 × 4 years = $86,328 total. Median earnings $82,392 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $34,032 a year of premium. $86,328 ÷ $34,032 = 2.5 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $594,312. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do Massachusetts Maritime Academy students graduate with?
A median $25,000 in federal loans among completers, or 30% of the $82,392 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of Massachusetts Maritime Academy students graduate?
74% finish their degree. Spread the $86,328 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $116,659 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is Massachusetts Maritime Academy expensive compared with other Massachusetts colleges?
Its $21,582 net price runs $3,301 below the $24,883 median across the 85 Massachusetts colleges we profile, and $13,204 less across the full degree.