Public
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
94.6% Acceptance Rate
Massachusetts Maritime Academy — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
94.6%Acceptance Rate
3.25Avg GPA
1108Avg SAT
$37,721Annual Cost
$82,392Grad Salary
17%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
94.6%
Avg GPA
3.25
Avg SAT
1108
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1068–1138
Avg Net Price
$26,661
Need-Based Aid
17% receive Pell
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a highly specialized public university that focuses on marine engineering, environmental science, maritime transportation, and emergency management. Admissions are selective, prioritizing high academic performance, particularly in math and science, and a demonstrated ability to handle a rigorous, structured, and discipline-oriented environment. The academy seeks students who are ready for a unique lifestyle that combines academic training with professional leadership and physical readiness.
Successful applicants should emphasize their drive to succeed in a demanding professional field and their potential for leadership. Demonstrating a record of discipline and initiative in high school such as in sports, scouting, or community leadership?is strongly recommended. The admissions committee looks for focused, mature individuals who are prepared for the academy's high-standards, career-accelerated curriculum and its tradition of preparing students for critical roles in global maritime and professional industries.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Acceptance Rate
Massachusetts Maritime Academy runs an open-access admission policy. With a 94.6% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 94.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.25 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.05 – 3.24
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.80
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
The application deadline for Massachusetts Maritime Academy is November 15 for Early Action applicants, with additional plans listed below. Admission decisions are typically released by December 20.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 104 days left — Early Action
Early Action
November 15
Decision by: December 20
Regular Decision
February 15
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Massachusetts Maritime Academy is 3.25. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 2.95–3.25 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.45–3.65.Massachusetts Maritime Academy GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.25 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.05 – 3.24
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.85 – 3.04
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.84
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering majors require a USCG medical certificate for graduation; certain medical/mental health conditions can disqualify a candidate from these specific majors.
- All majors have limited annual capacity; switching into a license-track major after enrollment is harder than switching out of one.
- License-track cadets complete 52-day Sea Terms during winter sessions in their first, sophomore, and senior years; even non-license majors complete at least one Sea Term.
- All students participate in the daily-uniform Regiment of Cadets and are subject to random drug testing on a fully substance-free campus throughout all four years.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Massachusetts Maritime Academy's verified institutional data
--%
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.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if Massachusetts Maritime Academy is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into Massachusetts Maritime Academy Without SAT or ACT?
Massachusetts Maritime Academy neither requires nor recommends test scores. Submit yours only if it's above the state or national average. Otherwise, leaving it off works in your favor.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Average SAT Score: 1108
The average SAT score of admitted students at Massachusetts Maritime Academy is 1108 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1108 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1138 SAT) to stand out. Below average? Massachusetts Maritime Academy allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1068, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | - | - | - |
| SAT Reading | - | - | - |
| SAT Composite | 1108 | 1068 | 1138 |
Below 1068, you're behind most admitted students; at 1138 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1100
Can I get into Massachusetts Maritime Academy with a 1150 SAT?
A 1150 SAT puts you ahead of most of Massachusetts Maritime Academy's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Massachusetts Maritime Academy provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Understand license-track majors carry a real, disqualifying medical bar tied to USCG standards
Marine Transportation and Marine Engineering (the "deck and engine" majors) require a Coast Guard medical certificate to obtain the 3rd mate/3rd engineer license needed for graduation, and certain medical or mental health conditions can disqualify a candidate from ever completing these majors, regardless of academic performance. If you have any relevant health history, contact MMA Health Services before applying to a license-track major, since this is a hard professional-licensing bar, not a general admissions consideration.
Apply early - every major has hard capacity limits, and switching into a license-track major later is harder than switching out
All of MMA's majors have limited spots each year due to genuine capacity constraints (ship berths, lab space), so applying early is a real strategic advantage, not just good practice. Also know that switching into a license-track major (Marine Transportation or Marine Engineering) after enrolling is considerably harder than switching out of one - declare with intention rather than treating your major as easily reversible.
Plan around mandatory Sea Terms that structure your entire calendar, not just your major
Marine Engineering and Marine Transportation cadets participate in Sea Term (52-day, ship-based training voyages) during winter sessions in their first, sophomore, and senior years - a schedule that overrides typical winter break plans for four consecutive years. Even non-license majors like Facilities Engineering complete at least one Sea Term. Factor this fixed, recurring commitment into any outside plans (jobs, family events, other winter obligations) from the start.
Get your passport moving by November of freshman year regardless of your major
All incoming freshmen should have a passport in hand by November at the latest, since passport processing typically takes 6-8 weeks and Sea Term/study-abroad components require it early in your first year. Start the passport application process immediately upon acceptance rather than waiting until closer to your first Sea Term departure.
Expert Insight:
Applicants sometimes treat MMA like a standard engineering or business college with an unusual campus culture - but the Regiment of Cadets requires daily uniforms, random drug testing throughout all four years on a fully drug/alcohol/tobacco-free campus, and license-track majors carry federal medical disqualification standards that have nothing to do with GPA. A student who hasn't internalized these structural realities before enrolling can find the transition far more demanding than expected.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Profile
Full Name
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
City
Buzzards Bay
State
Massachusetts
ZIP Code
02532-1803
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a Massachusetts Maritime Academy Degree Worth It?
Massachusetts Maritime Academy offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $77,700, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.63%.
How much does a degree from Massachusetts Maritime Academy Cost?
The sticker price is $37,721/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $26,661.
17% of students receive a Pell Grant and 79.3% take federal loans at Massachusetts Maritime Academy. File your FAFSA early and list Massachusetts Maritime Academy as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a Massachusetts Maritime Academy Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $82,392. That's about 103% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Massachusetts Maritime Academy. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| University of the Ozarks | Clarksville, AR | 1088 | 21 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango, CO | 1084 | 20 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction, CO | 1070 | 23 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley, CO | 1077 | 22 |
| Central Connecticut State University | New Britain, CT | 1091 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Massachusetts Maritime Academy. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| University of Saint Joseph | West Hartford, CT | 1100 | NA |
| Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University | Tallahassee, FL | 1100 | 22 |
| Flagler College | Saint Augustine, FL | 1099 | 22 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Massachusetts Maritime Academy. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
| Azusa Pacific University | Azusa, CA | 1155 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs, CO | 1140 | 25 |
Degree Programs at Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Bachelor Degree Programs
Masters Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts Maritime Academy Admissions
Massachusetts Maritime Academy graduates typically earn around $82,392 a year, on the higher end depending on industry.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy costs roughly $37,721 a year, and most students combine this with scholarships or aid.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy's Pell Grant rate of 17.0% sits below the national average. Merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
At 94.6%, Massachusetts Maritime Academy's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at Massachusetts Maritime Academy average a 3.25 GPA.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 2.95 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.85, Massachusetts Maritime Academy becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at Massachusetts Maritime Academy — aim above 1108, ideally within the 1068–1138 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for Massachusetts Maritime Academy is November 15 for Early Action applicants. Admission decisions are released by December 20.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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