Public
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Castine, Maine
61.4% Acceptance Rate
Maine Maritime Academy — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
61.4%Acceptance Rate
3.48Avg GPA
1185Avg SAT
27Avg ACT
$30,166Annual Cost
$89,964Grad Salary
24.7%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
61.4%
Avg GPA
3.48
Avg SAT
1185
Avg ACT
27
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1070–1270
ACT Middle 50%
23–30
Avg Net Price
$21,185
Need-Based Aid
24.7% receive Pell
Maine Maritime Academy, established in 1941 in Castine, is a public college specializing in marine engineering, naval architecture, and maritime business. Ranked #1 for ROI among public colleges (PayScale).
The waterfront campus includes training ships, engine simulators, and a marine science lab. Its regimented programs prepare graduates for careers at sea and in logistics.
Maine Maritime Academy Acceptance Rate
Maine Maritime Academy is somewhat selective in its admission process. The acceptance rate of Maine Maritime Academy is 61.4%. This means that 61 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.
Admissions Guidelines
- Broad Evaluation: Personal growth and vocational goals are considered alongside grades.
- Flexible Standards: Strengths in extracurriculars can often balance an average GPA.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 61.4% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.48 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.28 – 3.47
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.03
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Maine Maritime Academy GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Maine Maritime Academy is 3.48. Admission is competitive, but not extremely selective.
A mix of A's and B's is acceptable, and taking AP/IB courses helps.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 3.68-3.88 for this same academic profile.If your GPA is between 3.18 and 3.48, you should aim for a high SAT or ACT score.
Maine Maritime Academy GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Selective; solid academic performance is expected.
Recommended Strategy: Focus on a Strong 'Spike' in extracurriculars or research.
Admissions at Maine Maritime Academy utilize a Holistic Review process. With an average admitted GPA of 3.48, the following table illustrates how your specific academic profile aligns with institutional expectations.
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.48 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.28 – 3.47
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.08 – 3.27
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.07
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Expert Insight: 2026 Evaluation Metrics
- Acceptance rate ~54% (IPEDS 2024-25, 1,365 applicants, 739 admitted); test-optional but considered if submitted; personal essay and one recommendation required; $50 application fee (waiver available); March 1 regular decision deadline; located in Castine, ME on Penobscot Bay.
- One of six state maritime academies authorized to prepare students for unlimited USCG merchant marine licenses; one of only two with an NROTC unit; no military service obligation upon graduation (unlike USMMA) - NROTC is separate and optional.
- New Training Ship State of Maine (NSMV) officially handed over to MMA on March 30, 2026 - purpose-built training vessel with 8 classrooms, full training bridge, and lab spaces; first cohort to train aboard it from freshman year will be fall 2026 entrants.
- Two structurally different student experiences on one campus: Regiment of Midshipmen (required for all unlimited license majors, uniformed, structured, sea-going) and non-regimental track (traditional college lifestyle, optional Regiment participation); male-to-female ratio approximately 79:21; NCAA Division III in the Commonwealth Coast Conference.
- The Rigor Metric: At Maine Maritime Academy, a slightly lower GPA (e.g., 3.8) in a transcript featuring multiple AP or IB courses is often prioritized over a 4.0 in a standard curriculum.
- The Upward Trend: If your early high school grades were lower, an upward trajectory in 11th and 12th grade demonstrates Academic Resilience.
Data Source: Verified via IPEDS and latest Common Data Set (CDS). Reviewed by our academic board led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Maine Maritime Academy
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Maine Maritime Academy's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Maine Maritime Academy Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Maine Maritime Academy Without SAT or ACT?
Maine Maritime Academy considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 2 to 3 times to improve their scores.
Maine Maritime Academy Average SAT Score: 1185
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Maine Maritime Academy is 1185 on the 1600 SAT scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1185 — Less Competitive
This score makes it less competitive for SAT test scores. You need to put average efforts to score 1185 on the SAT.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1270 SAT or 30 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Maine Maritime Academy allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.
If your score is below 1070, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Maine Maritime Academy. Retaking the test multiple times is completely normal — most competitive applicants take the SAT two or three times to achieve their best score. There is no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 580 | 530 | 630 |
| SAT Reading | 590 | 540 | 640 |
| SAT Composite | 1185 | 1070 | 1270 |
It means that if you have scored less than 1070 then you are below most of the admitted students at Maine Maritime Academy and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1270 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students.
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200
Can I get into Maine Maritime Academy with a 1250 SAT?
With a 1250 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Maine Maritime Academy are good but the admission staff at Maine Maritime Academy tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.
Maine Maritime Academy ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at Maine Maritime Academy is 27.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 27 — Competitive
This score makes Maine Maritime Academy Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do well to score 27 on the ACT.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 26 | 24 | 28 |
| ACT English | 24 | 21 | 27 |
| ACT Composite | 27 | 23 | 30 |
Can I get into Maine Maritime Academy with a 30 ACT?
A 30 ACT places you at the 75th percentile of admitted students at Maine Maritime Academy — meaning you score higher than 75% of students who were accepted. This is a strong position, but the ACT is just one dimension of your application. Admissions officers at Maine Maritime Academy use the ACT as a benchmark to validate your academic readiness, not as a standalone admission ticket.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures four distinct subject areas — English, Mathematics, Reading, and Science — each scored on a 1–36 scale. If one of your section scores is significantly lower than the others, admissions staff will notice the imbalance. For example, a weak ACT Science score at a STEM-focused institution carries more weight than the same weakness at a liberal arts college. It is worth reviewing your section-level scores and addressing any outliers before applying.
One important advantage the ACT has over the SAT is that Maine Maritime Academy — like most US universities — accepts Superscoring for the ACT, meaning they take your highest section scores across multiple test attempts and combine them into a new composite. If you have taken the ACT more than once, confirm whether Maine Maritime Academy uses Superscoring, as this could meaningfully improve your effective composite beyond what any single sitting shows.
Beyond your score, what ultimately determines admission at this level is the strength of your overall profile. Your unweighted GPA, course rigor (AP, IB, or dual enrollment), extracurricular depth, letters of recommendation, and personal essays all carry significant weight. A 30 ACT gets your application through the first filter — but your essays and activities are what move it forward from there.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Maine Maritime Academy
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Maine Maritime Academy is accessible to students who show core competency. The focus should be on proving readiness for college-level work and securing financial aid.
Understand the Regiment vs. Non-Regiment Choice Before You Apply - It Defines Your Daily Life
MMA has two distinct student populations living side by side: students in the Regiment of Midshipmen (required for all unlimited USCG license majors - Marine Transportation Operations, Marine Engineering Operations, Marine Engineering Technology, and the 5-year Marine Systems Engineering license track) and students in non-license programs who have traditional college lifestyles. Regimental students wear uniforms (required by federal mandate), earn demerits for standards violations, participate in a structured leadership hierarchy, and complete summer training voyages aboard the Training Ship State of Maine - including a 37-day cruise after 1st Class year and a 74-day cruise after 2nd Class year, plus commercial cadet shipping in year 3. Non-regimental students in programs like Vessel Operations and Technology, Marine Science, or Power Engineering have a completely different day-to-day experience. Applications should reflect a clear, honest self-assessment of which track a student is actually applying to.
A Brand-New Training Ship Just Arrived - It's a Concrete Academic Upgrade Worth Mentioning
The new Training Ship State of Maine - the third of five National Security Multi-Mission Vessels built for the US Department of Transportation's MARAD program - was christened on August 26, 2025, arrived in Portland for her first Maine port call in March 2026, and was officially handed over to Maine Maritime Academy on March 30, 2026. The NSMV is a purpose-built training vessel with eight classrooms, a full training bridge, lab spaces, and an auditorium - designed specifically for maritime academy training in a way the old converted USNS Tanner never was. Students applying for fall 2026 entry will be the first full cohort training aboard this vessel from their first year. This is a legitimate, current-cycle academic infrastructure development that applicants who've done current research will know about and those who haven't will miss entirely.
The USCG License Is a Federal Credential That Must Be Earned Before Graduation - Physical Qualification Applies
Students in unlimited license programs must pass both a senior-year USCG licensing examination and a physical examination confirming they meet Coast Guard standards - vision requirements, freedom from diseases or conditions that compromise shipboard safety, and other federal criteria. A student who arrives at senior year with an academic record strong enough to sit for the exam but who fails the exit physical may be required to switch to a non-license major. Students with pre-existing medical conditions, vision issues, or other health factors that could affect USCG qualification should consult MMA's Director of Health Services before applying to a license-track program - not after enrolling - since this affects both the academic plan and the expected career outcome.
MMA Is One of Only Two Maritime Academies in the US With an NROTC Unit - Use That If Military Service Is Part of Your Plan
Maine Maritime Academy is one of only two state maritime academies authorized to host a Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps unit (the other being Massachusetts Maritime). The MMA NROTC unit, established in 1972, commissions officers jointly with the University of Maine at Orono and has historically produced Navy, Marine Corps, and Strategic Sealift officers. Students interested in combining a merchant marine license with a Navy or Marine Corps commission can pursue both through MMA's NROTC track - a combination not available at USMMA (which provides its own military commission) and not available at most other maritime academies. Applicants with military service goals should research both MMA and USMMA (UNITID 197027) and make a deliberate choice based on the obligation structures, since the two institutions lead to very different post-graduation commitments.
Expert Insight:
The single most damaging misread at MMA is applying to a USCG license track major while treating it like a standard engineering or marine science degree at a conventional college. License-track students complete 360 sea days across their four years, participate in a uniformed Regiment with federal oversight and a demerits system, and must pass a federal physical and a USCG licensing exam before graduation - all on top of an engineering or transportation curriculum. Students who enroll in a license program expecting a traditional college experience, or who underestimate the physical, logistical, and personal discipline demands of the regimental structure, are among the most common drivers of MMA's approximately 42% six-year graduation rate. This is not a warning against attending - it is a warning to be honest with yourself about whether the regimental, sea-going model is what you actually want.
Maine Maritime Academy Profile
Full Name
Maine Maritime Academy
City
Castine
State
Maine
ZIP Code
04420-0001
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Maine Maritime Academy Degree Worth It?
Getting into Maine Maritime Academy can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Maine Maritime Academy offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Maine Maritime Academy is $56,700 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.1%.
How much does a degree from Maine Maritime Academy Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Maine Maritime Academy is $30,166. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Maine Maritime Academy is $21,185.
24.7% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 66 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Maine Maritime Academy and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Maine Maritime Academy, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Maine Maritime Academy as your choice in the form.
How much does a Maine Maritime Academy Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $89,964. An average Maine Maritime Academy graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Maine Maritime Academy. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| Florida International University | Miami, FL | 1154 | 23 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
| Georgia State University | Atlanta, GA | 1149 | 23 |
| Toccoa Falls College | Toccoa Falls, GA | 1155 | 23 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Maine Maritime Academy. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Dominican University of California | San Rafael, CA | 1194 | 26 |
| University of New Haven | West Haven, CT | 1190 | NA |
| Nova Southeastern University | Fort Lauderdale, FL | 1182 | 25 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | Savannah, GA | 1178 | 25 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Maine Maritime Academy. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | 1251 | 26 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| University of Arizona | Tucson, AZ | 1261 | 26 |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, AZ | 1256 | 27 |
| John Brown University | Siloam Springs, AR | 1222 | 26 |
Degree Programs at Maine Maritime Academy
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Maine Maritime Academy →
Frequently Asked Questions About Maine Maritime Academy Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a high salary, $89,964 annually, depending on the industry.
The tuition fee at this university is moderate, around $30,166 per year. Many students seek financial aid and scholarships to manage the cost.
24.7% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
The acceptance rate of Maine Maritime Academy is 61.4% which is relatively high, above 20%, making it somewhat easier to gain admission compared to other top-tier universities.
The average GPA of admitted students is 3.48. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 3.18, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 3.18, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 3.08 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 3.48, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Admission to Maine Maritime Academy is based on SAT, and a strong SAT score is essential. Aim for scores above 1185 for the best chances, although the overall application strength also matters. Your SAT must be in the range of 1070–1270.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.