California State University Maritime Academy
California State University Maritime Academy is a public university in Vallejo, CA ranked #79 nationally by EDsmart, earning an overall grade of A, enrolling about 761 undergraduates, and with an acceptance rate near 98.7%. Students most often pursue Marine Transportation and Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other.
Day to day, students benefit from a 10:1 student-faculty ratio, 75.9% first-year retention, and 66.8% six-year graduation. Coaches and faculty advisors weave in frequent check-ins, helping students translate ambition into steady progress.
Families typically invest $17,555, about $557 more than the national median. EDsmart calculates return on investment at 20.6%, roughly 64.7 points below typical outcomes. Six years after enrolling, alumni report median earnings of $84,676. That's about $40,988 higher than national results. It's well-suited to students who appreciate an encouraging campus with room to explore and students looking for meaningful faculty access.
Who is California State University Maritime Academy Best For?
A quick look at who tends to feel most at home here based on outcomes and campus context.
EDsmart Scores Summary
California State University Maritime Academy graduates 66.8% of students within six years and keeps 75.9% of first-year students. Affordability earns a B compared with similar schools.
How we calculate this →Cost & Financial Aid
Quick Answers
The costs shown are averages. Use California State University Maritime Academy's net price calculator to get an estimate based on your family's financial situation.
Calculate Your Net Price →Total Degree Cost Summary
Annual Cost Comparison
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree- or certificate-seeking undergraduates.
View cost of attendance line items
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Tuition and Fees | $7,672 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,032 |
| On-Campus Room and Board | $13,976 |
| On-Campus Other Expenses | $7,382 |
| Total On-Campus Cost | $27,138 |
Tip: focus on the rows that match your living plan—commuters can swap in off-campus estimates while residential students should budget for housing, meals, and incidental fees.
Students Receiving Aid
Use these bars to gauge how many classmates rely on need-based dollars—lower Pell or loan shares may signal a wealthier student body or generous institutional grants.
EDsmart Insight: About 28.7% of California State University Maritime Academy students receive Pell Grants — slightly below the national average, highlighting ongoing affordability priorities.
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after financial aid, based on family income. Your actual cost may vary depending on your specific financial situation.
Understanding These Numbers: Net price varies significantly by income level. Net prices range from $11,357 to $24,740 depending on family income. Use California State University Maritime Academy's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
If your family earns $75K-$110K: Expect to pay around $16,533/year
If your family earns $110K+: Expect to pay around $24,740/year
See all income brackets →ROI & Career Outcomes
- 6-Year Median Earnings $84,676
- 10-Year Median Earnings $84,676
- Average Years to Graduate 4.5 years
- Average Student Debt $16,889
- Repayment Rate (3yr) 81.8%
- Employment Rate 92.3%
Graduate Earnings Distribution
Earnings range for California State University Maritime Academy graduates 6 years after enrollment, showing the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile. This illustrates the variation in outcomes across different majors and career paths.
California State University Maritime Academy vs. National Average
Comparison of key performance metrics showing how California State University Maritime Academy's outcomes compare to the national average across earnings, graduation rates, retention, ROI, and employment. This contextualizes California State University Maritime Academy's performance within the broader higher education landscape.
EDsmart Insight: While California State University Maritime Academy graduates earn $84,676 median, the 20.6% ROI suggests the investment may take longer to pay off. Consider your major choice and career goals when evaluating value.
Acceptance & Selectivity
Getting In
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading Not reported
- SAT Math Not reported
- SAT Writing Not reported
- ACT Composite Not reported
- SAT & ACTNot required
- Undergraduate Enrollment 761
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Retention Rate 75.9%
- Graduation Rate 66.8%
- Student-Faculty Ratio 10:1
How to Get Into California State University Maritime Academy
1. Meet Academic Requirements: California State University Maritime Academy requires strong academic performance. Aim for test scores within the reported ranges and maintain a competitive GPA. Most admitted students rank in the top 10% of their high school class.
2. Build a Strong Application: Beyond test scores, focus on crafting compelling essays, securing strong letters of recommendation, and highlighting extracurricular activities that demonstrate leadership and commitment.
3. Understand Selectivity: With an acceptance rate of 98.7%, California State University Maritime Academy is relatively open. Consider applying early decision if available, as early applicants often have higher acceptance rates.
4. Financial Planning: Review the net price calculator and financial aid options early. Many students receive significant aid, making the actual cost lower than the sticker price.
Tip: Contact the admissions office directly for the most current application requirements, deadlines, and any special programs (like early decision or early action) that might improve your chances.
EDsmart Insight: With a 98.7% acceptance rate, California State University Maritime Academy is more accessible than highly selective schools. Meeting the test score ranges and maintaining a solid GPA significantly improves admission chances.
Academic Programs
Undergraduate Program Distribution
Breakdown of the most popular majors and fields of study among California State University Maritime Academy undergraduates. Marine Transportation, Mechanical Engineering, and Business Administration, Management and Operations draw the most students.
- Marine Transportation 32.2%
- Mechanical Engineering 20.6%
- Business Administration, Management and Operations 17.8%
- International/Global Studies 12.1%
- Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Techni 8.9%
- Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other 8.4%
See more majors
- International Relations and National Security Stud 0.0%
Highest Earning Programs
Median earnings five years after graduation for each program. These figures help illustrate ROI by field of study and degree level.
Undergraduate Programs (Bachelor's Degrees)
- 1. Marine Transportation $116,871
- 2. Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other $115,589
- 3. Mechanical Engineering $114,735
Show additional high-earning majors
- 4. Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians $98,661
- 5. Business Administration, Management and Operations $83,752
- 6. International Relations and National Security Studies $42,924
Graduate Programs (Master's, Doctoral, Professional)
- 1. Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degree) $120,304
Program Choice Matters: Undergraduate: Marine Transportation grads earn $116,871—172% more than International Relations and National Security Studies ($42,924). Graduate: Business Administration, Management and Operations programs lead with $120,304 median earnings. Your program and degree level choice significantly impact career earnings.
Online Degrees & Distance Learning
College Scorecard reports fully online programs for California State University Maritime Academy. Below are the most popular options based on the number of recent graduates, followed by a quick look at the breadth of online offerings by degree level.
Source: U.S. Department of Education – College Scorecard
Most Popular Online Degrees
- Marine Transportation (Bachelor's Degree, 69 graduates)
- Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degree, 44 graduates)
- Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degree, 38 graduates)
- International/Global Studies (Bachelor's Degree, 26 graduates)
- Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degree, 19 graduates)
What This School Offers Online, at a Glance
College Scorecard flags the following online degree and certificate programs for this institution. Expand each credential level to view the complete list of available subjects.
Online Bachelor's Degrees (7 programs)â–¼
- Marine Transportation
- Mechanical Engineering
- Business Administration, Management and Operations
- International/Global Studies
- Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians
- Engineering Technologies/Technicians, Other
- International Relations and National Security Studies
Online Master's Degrees (1 program)â–¼
- Engineering, Other
Student Demographics
Student Population
- Total Undergraduate Enrollment 761
- Full-Time Students 95.0%
- Part-Time Students 5.0%
- Male Students 81.1%
- Female Students 18.9%
- Caucasian 47.7%
- Asian 10.2%
- Hispanic 22.2%
- Black 3.1%
- Pell Grant Recipients 28.7%
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
Undergraduate student body composition by racial and ethnic background. This reflects California State University Maritime Academy's commitment to diversity and inclusion in admissions.
Gender Distribution
Gender breakdown of California State University Maritime Academy's undergraduate population. Women make up 18.9% of the student body, while men represent 81.1%.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does California State University Maritime Academy support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at California State University Maritime Academy, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
EDsmart Insight: California State University Maritime Academy has a diverse student body, with 47.7% identifying as White. Men make up 81.1% of undergraduates.
Graduation Rate Equity Analysis
How well does California State University Maritime Academy support students from different economic backgrounds?
What this means: Lower-income students (Pell Grant recipients) graduate at nearly the same rate as higher-income students, indicating strong institutional support for all economic backgrounds.
Compare graduation rates by race/ethnicity
Graduation Rates by Race/Ethnicity
Six-year graduation rates for different demographic groups at California State University Maritime Academy, compared to national averages. This shows whether the institution supports all students equitably.
Our Take
Ranking #79 nationally, California State University Maritime Academy combines competitive admissions with 20.6% ROI, positioning itself among America's stronger universities. The institution balances academic rigor with $84,676 in median post-graduation earnings.
Students complete degrees at 66.8% six-year rates, with 75.9% retention reflecting solid satisfaction. The $17,555 annual net price falls in the moderate range, though 103 institutions deliver comparable outcomes at lower costs.
Competitive Selective University: California State University Maritime Academy's Market Position
A grade | #79 of 1966 | 96.0/100 on EDsmart's national index (0–100 vs. all ranked schools; not a raw point total)
Competitive Positioning: California State University Maritime Academy occupies the competitive selective tier—not elite enough for automatic career advantages, but strong enough to provide quality education and reasonable outcomes. The 20.6% ROI reflects this middle ground: better than most, but not top-tier.
Value for Money: $17,555 annually produces $84,676 median earnings—a reasonable but not exceptional return. Students choosing California State University Maritime Academy should evaluate whether the institution's specific programs, location, or campus culture justify costs versus higher-ROI alternatives.
Who Succeeds Here: Self-directed students who maximize campus resources (research, internships, networking) achieve outcomes rivaling higher-ranked schools. Students seeking specific programs or geographic locations find strong value. Those needing extensive hand-holding may struggle in larger university environments.
Final Assessment: California State University Maritime Academy's #79 ranking and A grade reflect solid performance across metrics. With 103 schools offering better ROI, value-focused students should compare carefully. However, for students who fit the institution's culture and programs, outcomes justify investment.
Key Takeaways
- 66.8% six-year graduation rate sits 4.3 points above the national 62.5% benchmark.
- 75.9% first-year retention is 0.9 points below the national norm of 76.8%.
- 20.6% return on investment is 64.7 points below the national 85.3% benchmark.
- Median earnings of $84,676 run about 94% higher than national outcomes six years after enrollment.
- Average net price of $17,555 is roughly $2,354 lower than the national median of $19,910.
Helpfulness for Students
- 10:1 student-faculty ratio keeps mentorship close and courses discussion-sized.
- 75.9% first-year retention shows students stay engaged after the first year.
- 92.3% employment rate within three years sits 24.1 points above national outcomes.
- Pell participation at 28.7% trails the national share by 4.7 points, so equity work remains important.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
- Compare aid offers from nearby public universities to weigh the premium for smaller classes.
EDsmart Expert Analysis
California State University Maritime Academy is a public university based in Vallejo, CA and earns a A overall grade. It holds a #79 national ranking Category results include Completion (B+), Support (B+), Career Outcomes (A+), and Affordability (B).
Grades are assigned relative to EDsmart's national bachelor's cohort using standardized outcomes (2026 methodology); they reflect how a school compares to peers, not a fixed percentage of a raw point total.
About 75.9% of first-year students return, and roughly 66.8% finish within six years. The reported ROI is 20.6%, a figure families can weigh against cost and aid details above.
Why it matters: this snapshot shows how likely you are to stay on track academically and whether the outcomes justify the price tag. Letter grades summarize cohort-relative performance—not a single exam-style score.
EDsmart Financial Snapshot
Families pay about $17,555 on average after aid, compared with a published cost near $27,138.
Institutional and federal aid lower costs by roughly $9,583 per year.
Graduates leave with a median of $16,889 in federal loans, which lines up with national norms.
About 28.7% of students receive Pell Grants, giving a snapshot of the campus income mix.
Why it matters: lining up sticker price, aid, and typical debt helps you stress-test the budget before you commit.
EDsmart Career Snapshot
Graduates report median earnings of about $84,676 six years after entry. This is roughly 94% above typical U.S. college outcomes.
Roughly 92.3% of graduates are employed three years out.
The ROI comes in near 20.6%, which you can cross-check against your financial plan.
Why it matters: pairing median earnings with employment rates gives you a sense of payback time after graduation.
EDsmart Admissions Snapshot
98.7% of applicants receive offers, so preparation and fit matter.
The admissions team encourages students to highlight academic strengths through transcripts, essays, and recommendations.
Prospective students can apply early for priority review and lean on the California State University Maritime Academy admissions site for deadlines, visit options, and counselor contacts.
Why it matters: knowing the admit rate and application expectations lets you map out testing, essays, and deadlines with less stress.
Your Decision Toolkit
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Contact Information
- Address Vallejo, CA 94590-8181
- Website www.csum.edu
- Net Price Calculator Calculate Your Cost
- Financial AidView Financial Aid Information
- AccreditationWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
- Endowment$12.3M
- Transfer Enrollment Rate4.5%