Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $71,788 track close to the $69,785 national median for Ocean Engineering programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
With a 15.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 16% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Ocean Engineering career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.
At $26,000 in median debt against $71,788 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.
Ocean Engineering is offered at just 4 schools in our analysis. Texas A & M University-College Station's #2 ranking should be read in that context.
A 32% earnings increase from $71,788 to $94,615 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.