Marine Transportationat California State University Maritime Academy
Graduates earn $87,464/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Marine Transportation average. Base-case 10-year earnings $870K; scenarios range from $815K to $872K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Cal Maritime
The Cal Maritime Marine Transportation program offers a highly specialized path, preparing you for a career integral to global commerce. Its cadet-style curriculum and mandatory sea-time experiences are designed to meet rigorous U.S. Coast Guard licensing requirements, a critical differentiator that underpins the strong career outcomes. Located strategically in the Bay Area, you're near major shipping lanes and port operations, facilitating direct employer connections. Graduates are uniquely positioned for roles with shipping lines, tugboat and ferry operators, or port management, where your practical training is immediately valuable. While life at sea demands commitment to unique schedules, it also offers significant periods of time off and opportunities for shore-based transitions in logistics or maritime regulation. To truly understand this demanding yet rewarding path, immerse yourself in the culture during a campus visit and speak with current cadets about their experiences.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to Cal Maritime's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Marine Transportation
How Cal Maritime stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Cal Maritime
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Cal Maritime, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Marine Transportation offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Marine Transportation trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Marine Transportation at Cal Maritime
What does a 70/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Marine Transportation at California State University Maritime Academy?
At 70/100, this is a high-performing program. The DegreeOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.