Bachelors In

Marine Engineering Degrees

The complete guide on what you’ll learn, job prospects, university programs, and saving time and money.

Why We Love It

  • $100,090
    Potential Avg. Salary*
  • Growing Demand
    Job Outlook

* Salary & growth data is based on the recent Bureau of Labor and Statistics data published at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes172121.htm for 17-2121 Marine engineers and naval architects 11/2021. Based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

Do you envision yourself in a career where you get to spend your days developing new systems and technologies that enable water travel, marine transportation, and offshore drilling?

If so, a degree in marine engineering may be perfect for you. Marine engineers design and develop new commercial, naval, and recreational systems designed to innovate on and improve water travel and transportation.

What is a Degree in Marine Engineering?

Thanks to the internet, it’s possible for individuals and companies all over the world to do business and trade goods, but getting goods across oceans in this new, connected world depends on having the technology to do so in a cost-efficient and expedient manner. Because of the high costs of shipping goods by plane, many companies conduct their importing and exporting shipments through marine travel. That wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the talented marine engineers that make it possible.

Marine engineers build, maintain, and repair the components that are used in water travel. They build and innovate on giant cruise ships, covert submarines, river barges, and cargo ships. In a marine engineering program, you’ll learn how to join together with other marine engineers to develop new water travel technology. You’ll take courses in maritime machining, ship information systems, and maritime welding, enabling you to work on ships and at docks maintaining and repairing water vehicles.

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What Courses Would I Take For a Major in Marine Engineering?

  • Ship Construction
  • Engine Systems Graphics
  • Ship Information Systems
  • Unloading Systems
  • Maritime Machining
  • Maritime Welding
  • Diesel Engineering
  • Marine Turbines

What Jobs Can You Get with a Degree in Marine Engineering?

Demand for marine engineers is expected to be above average in the coming decade for two major reasons. First, the demand to ship more goods overseas has created a need for innovation in ship technologies, and marine engineers will be needed to develop faster and more efficient ships that help reduce shipping and transportation costs.

Second, the number of companies that are interested in offshore drilling has increased, and marine engineers will be needed to maintain the ships used in drilling operations.

How Long does it take?

A bachelors in Marine Engineering will have a typical length of 4 years in a full time schedule. That said, there are many ways to speed up the timeframe by either taking more units via online coursework, community college, or taking free classes at OnlineDegree.com that could transfer to universities in the US.

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Best Jobs for Marine Engineering Degrees

Marine engineering graduates find work as marine engineers in the Navy and on ship docks, cruise ships, and offshore drilling transportation vehicles.

Many marine engineers actually live on the ships they maintain for some period of time. Skills from this major also translate well into other engineering and mechanical careers, and graduates may be able to work as diesel mechanics or mechanical engineers.


How to save time and money

Our mission is to help you to avoid paying full price for college. We want your Marine Engineering degree to be affordable and accessible. Here’s how you could save:

Create Your Free SmartPlan

There are many ways to make college affordable and accessible.

That’s why we created a helpful tool called SmartPlan.

It’s free, and helps you find potential ways to save and tons of information about each school you’re considering

Think of it as your “college blueprint”, to help you instantly craft a path to your degree:

  • Which Colleges Match Your Needs
  • Ways You Could Save Time & Money
  • Free Courses You Could Take for Credit
  • Valuable Data and Insights on Each College
  • Detailed Steps You Should Take!

See what’s possible for you and generate a free plan within just a few minutes

Create My SmartPlan

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