California Maritime Academy

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U.S. News Rankings

Ranking score and category

U.S. News rank Category Name #2 Regional Colleges (West)

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Summary

California Maritime Academy is a public institution that was founded in 1929. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 889, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 80 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. California Maritime Academy's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Colleges (West), 2. Its in-state tuition and fees are $6,536 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $17,696 (2011-12).

The California Maritime Academy is a public school located on a small, waterfront campus in Vallejo, Calif., 30 miles northeast of San Francisco. Students at Cal Maritime can earn degrees in international business and logistics, facilities engineering technology, global studies and maritime affairs, marine engineering technology, marine transportation, or mechanical engineering. Cal Maritime students, more than 80 percent of whom are male, are required to spend at least one summer on the university’s training ship, Golden Bear. On the ship, students cruise through the Pacific Ocean and practice the technological and leadership skills they learned in the classroom.

Cal Maritime has the highest job placement ratio of the 23 California State University systems and is the only degree-granting maritime university in the West. Outside the classroom and off the ship, students can get involved in any of the more than 20 clubs or participate in campus events including dances, concerts, and comedy nights. Student athletes play for the Keelhaulers basketball, crew, golf, rugby, soccer, and water polo teams, which compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) California Pacific Conference.

School mission and unique qualities (as provided by the school):

Ocean View - Ocean Point of View The California Maritime Academy's waterside campus on the northern end of San Francisco Bay is tucked into a quiet cove with ever-changing views of the ever-changing maritime world. This world is much more than operating commercial ships; it is a global economic force linking with various modes of transportation to get commodities and people from point A to point B. Operating this global enterprise requires engineers, business leaders, port managers, deck officers, environmental advocates, maritime security consultants, etc. The Academy Advantage Academies are generally small, focused, structured, and offer a high-quality education. These characteristics all describe Cal Maritime. Our 825 students study one of only six majors, and students are generally very focused on their chosen fields. We stress some similar values as the military academies but our students have no obligation to join the military when they graduate. Our reputation among the many corporations, industries, agencies, and graduate schools filled with Cal Maritime alumni is that of a school preparing professional, responsible, and successful graduates The Value of a CSU Campus plus the Quality of a Private College As one of the 23 campuses in the California State University (CSU) system, Cal Maritime enjoys the strength associated with this planet's biggest university system. Tuition and housing costs are no more than other CSU campuses up and down the state which makes us highly affordable. Our academic quality, however, shares more in common with private colleges. Our average class size of 23 student as well as approachable, mentoring faculty creates an academic atmosphere The Corps of Cadets Stressing Responsibility, Accountability, Leadership, and Professionalism At Cal Maritime, all students are also cadets who comprise the Corps of Cadets that forms the basic organizational structure of the Academy. Your classes will teach you the hard skills and knowledge for your degree, but the Corps of Cadets stresses the soft skills such as responsibility, accountability, leadership, and professionalism. Those soft skills are what give Cal Maritime graduates such an advantage in their job search and later careers. Training and Learning on the Golden Bear All Cal Maritime cadets become members of the crew of the 500 foot Training Ship GOLDEN BEAR on at least one sixty day journey visiting a number of ports around the Pacific Rim. The cadets run the ship (including the bridge and engine room) under the supervision of licensed maritime professionals. Cadets also take classes, perform ship maintenance, and gain a first-hand exposure to ship operations. International Travel for All One important way that Cal Maritime supports ensures a global perspective in its graduates is the required GOLDEN BEAR experience. With each voyage visiting three or four international ports, 100% of our cadets travel abroad learning about world travel related to their intended careers and soaking up local culture. Many students also participate in port field trips to gain exposure to the how business and international affairs are conducted in distant parts of the world. All Students have a Paid Summer Internship A dedicated staff in our Career Development Center works very hard to gather a large list of companies and organizations willing to offer various forms of internships or co-ops and then working with the cadets to match their available internships with specific professional goals. Our Industry Connections Lead to Great Careers Cal Maritime alumni predominate in maritime industry around the Pacific Rim. Those who influence hiring and promotion have direct knowledge of the quality and relevancy of the education we provide. Several of the same companies and agencies that hire Cal Maritime graduates have many other connections to the Academy.

General Information

School type	public, coed college
Year founded	1929
Religious affiliation	N/A
Academic calendar	semester
Setting	suburban
2011 Endowment	N/A

Applying

When applying to California Maritime Academy, it's important to note the application deadline is rolling. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 5. The application fee at California Maritime Academy is $55. It is selective, with an acceptance rate of 65.6 percent.

For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.

Selectivity	selective
Fall 2011 acceptance rate	65.6% 4
Application deadline	rolling
SAT/ACT scores must be received by	January 5

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Academic Life

The student-faculty ratio at California Maritime Academy is 12:1. The most popular majors at California Maritime Academy include: Marine Transportation; Mechanical Engineering; International Relations and National Security Studies; Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians; and Business Administration, Management and Operations. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 78.2 percent.

Class sizes	N/A
Student-faculty ratio	12:1
4-year graduation rate	45
Five most popular majors for 2011 graduates
Marine Transportation 48% Mechanical Engineering 15% International Relations and National Security Studies 14% Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians 14% Business Administration, Management and Operations 8%

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Student Life

California Maritime Academy has a total undergraduate enrollment of 889, with a gender distribution of 85.7 percent male students and 14.3 percent female students. California Maritime Academy is part of the NAIA athletic conference.

Total enrollment	889
Student gender distribution
Undergraduate men who are members of a fraternity	N/A
Undergraduate women who are members of a sorority	N/A
Collegiate athletic association	NAIA

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Campus Info & Services

California Maritime Academy offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, placement service, health service, and health insurance. California Maritime Academy also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at California Maritime Academy, 70 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is not permitted for students of legal age at California Maritime Academy.

Students who have cars on campus	70%
Health insurance offered	Yes
Students required to own/lease a computer	No

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Paying for School

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In-state tuition and fees	$6,536 (2011-12)
Out-of-state tuition and fees	$17,696 (2011-12)
Room and board	$10,134 (2011-12)
Financial aid statistics	N/A

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* Overview details based on 2011 data