Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Master mariner education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a master mariner. Master mariners usually study marine transportation, business, or maritime studies. 53% of master mariners hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 124 real master mariner resumes to see exactly what master mariner education sections show.
The most common colleges for master mariners are the Santa Fe College and the Santa Fe College.
There are also many online master mariner courses to help get the education required to be a master mariner.
What education do you need to become a master mariner?
What degree do you need to be a master mariner?
- Bachelor's, 53%
- Master's, 21%
- Associate, 12%
- Diploma, 7%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a master mariner?
- Business, 9%
- Maritime Studies, 6%
- Biology, 6%
- Other Majors, 61%
Most common colleges for master mariners
| Master mariner common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Santa Fe College | 5.88% |
| Florida Institute of Technology | 5.88% |
| Temple University | 5.88% |
| The University of Tampa | 5.88% |
| Iona College | 5.88% |
Best majors for master mariners
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marine Transportation | 17.6% |
| 2 | Business | 8.8% |
| 3 | Maritime Studies | 5.9% |
| 4 | Biology | 5.9% |
| 5 | Management | 5.9% |
Best colleges for master mariners
The best colleges for master mariners are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
A master mariner with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for master mariners. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become master mariners.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Maine Maritime Academy
Castine, ME • Private
In-state tuition
$13,478
Enrollment
979
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Enrollment
9,142
7. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
8. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,308
Enrollment
6,819
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Enrollment
30,018
10. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$49,880
Enrollment
4,177
20 best online courses for master mariners
Advertising disclosure
1. Paleontology: Ancient Marine Reptiles
Paleontology: Ancient Marine Reptiles is a four-lesson course teaching a comprehensive overview of the evolutionary changes that occur when air-breathing terrestrial animals return to water. This course examines the diversity, adaptations, convergence, and phylogenetic relationships of extinct marine reptiles. Students will explore three major groups of marine reptiles: ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs. Watch a preview of the course here:...
2. Large Marine Ecosystems: Assessment and Management
Focusing on the Large Marine Ecosystems (LMEs) of the world, this course will introduce the concept and practice of ecosystem-based management. LMEs occupy areas of coastal ocean at least 200 000 km² or greater in size. These coastal waters produce 12.6 trillion USD in ecosystem goods and services annually and are vitally important for billions of people around the globe. Because LMEs are bounded by ocean features and are globally linked, management of human activities needs to occur in an...
3. Defensive Driving-Safe Driving
Learn the Best Practices to Keep Safe While Driving...
4. The Complete MARINE BIOLOGY 101 Course, Beginner to Advanced
The NEW course with everything you need on Marine Biology - 2021 Online CERTIFICATE - Taught by a real marine biologist!...
5. Marine Biology
This course is about life in the oceans, from the sunlit surface to the inky depths, from microscopic phytoplankton to the great blue whale. The ocean is among the world’s most inhospitable environments for scientific research, which is why we know as much about the surface of the moon as we do the bottom of the sea. This course uncovers the evolutionary history of marine organisms, adaptations to life in water, the behavior and functional morphology of sea animals, interactions between...
6. Customer Service Mastery: Delight Every Customer
Master Customer Service using this practical customer care course...
7. Internal Audit: a Guide for Management
Internal Audit, Risk Management, Compliance, Governance, Internal Controls, CIA, Audit Report, Audit Charter, IIA...
8. Internal Auditing Part I
Learn how to conduct an audit from start to end. This course can be used as a guide to audit almost any process...
9. Lead Auditor Tools for a Professional Internal Audit
Be a Pro Internal Auditor. This is the only course with 1-on-1 online meeting with the instructor & e-mail support...
10. Ace Your 105, Coastal Navigation Written Sailing Exam
Essential coastal navigation knowledge for safely living the sailing cruising life...
11. Customer Service: 6 Keys To Exceptional Customer Service
Master Customer Satisfaction & Astonish Your Customers With A+ Customer Service...
12. Environmental sustainability in Maritime transport Industry
A course dedicated to Marine life and Marine Ecosystem...
13. Fun food safety and sanitation course
The food safety course will help prepare you for safely working in a kitchen and food handler tests like Servesafe...
14. The Complete Google Drive Course - Mastering Google Drive
Use Google Drive for Maximum Productivity - You Can Become the Master of Google Suite - Enhance Your Office Efficiency...
15. Customer Service Foundation
An introductory course about understanding the foundations of Customer Service...
16. Customer Service & Support For Customer Service Executives
Learn Customer Service Skills & Provide Excellent Customer Support, Customer Experience & How To Manage Upset Customers...
17. Customer Service
How to Approach New Customers and Maintain Existing Ones...
18. Customer Service Fundamentals: Putting People First
Customer Care Listening Great Customer Service Concern for Others Company Culture Engaging People Responding...
19. Customer Service Basics: Improve your Service now
The basic golden rules to kickstart your service...
20. OSHA Safety Training: Conducting Safety Meetings
A Brief Safety Management Course for Current and Aspiring Safety Professionals...
Top 10 most affordable universities for master mariners
The most affordable schools for master mariners are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for master mariners are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for master mariners.
1. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
2. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
3. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
4. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute
Utica, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,238
Cost of attendance
21,567
8. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
9. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,488
Cost of attendance
22,990
10. Clayton State University
Morrow, GA • Private
In-state tuition
$5,419
Cost of attendance
17,697
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for master mariners
The hardest universities for master mariners to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for master mariners are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for master mariners based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
6. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
7. Villanova University
Villanova, PA • Private
Admissions rate
29%
SAT average
1,407
8. Bentley University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
43%
SAT average
1,338
9. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
10. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for master mariners
The easiest schools for master mariners to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a master mariner without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for master mariners.
1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
2. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
3. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. LIM College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,061
6. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
7. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
8. D'Youville College
Buffalo, NY • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,072
9. Presentation College
Aberdeen, SD • Private
Admissions rate
97%
SAT average
1,050
10. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
Average master mariner salary by education level
| Master mariner education level | Master mariner salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $52,868 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $80,470 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $57,867 |
Master mariner education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common transportation questions.
Search for master mariner jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025