GLEN COVE, NY – August, 2025 –Webb Institute has once again been recognized as one of the nation’s best undergraduate institutions, according to The Princeton Review. The education services company features Webb in the 2026 edition of its highly selective annual guide, The Best 391 Colleges, released by Penguin Random House.
Only 15% of America’s nearly 2,400 four-year colleges are included in The Princeton Review guidebook. Selection is based on surveys of 2,000 college administrators about their institutions’ academic offerings, as well as feedback from students who rated their schools on dozens of topics and shared details about their campus experience.
“This recognition from The Princeton Review affirms the extraordinary academic experience and close-knit community we foster here at Webb,” said Mark Martecchini, President of Webb Institute. “Our students’ passion for naval architecture and marine engineering, coupled with our faculty’s dedication, creates a truly unique and world-class educational environment.”
In its profile of Webb Institute, The Princeton Review editors praise the institution for being “a very niche school that is very good at what it does,” where “each student graduates with a dual degree” in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. The profile highlights Webb’s distinctive Winter Work Term, during which every student completes a paid internship in the maritime industry, from yacht design to work aboard an Antarctic icebreaker.
Students surveyed describe Webb as a place where “so many people collaborate on homework,” professors are “invested” and “accessible,” and the community is “accepting of absolutely everything: we love our school and each other.” And while Webb is the nation’s only college devoted solely to naval architecture and marine engineering, students don’t have to know anything about ships- they just have to be motivated to study engineering.
“Webb Institute has outstanding academic programs, and the feedback we received from its students was very impressive,” said Rob Franek, The Princeton Review’s Editor-in-Chief and lead author of The Best 391 Colleges. “We are delighted to name Webb one of our Best Colleges for 2026 and to recommend it to students searching for their ‘best-fit’ college.”
Webb received rating scores of 93 in Academics, 85 in Quality of Life, and 98 in Fire Safety. The Institute maintains a 100% job placement rate for graduates, a hallmark of its rigorous program and strong alumni network.
For more information on The Princeton Review’s Best 391 Colleges list, visit www.princetonreview.com/college/webb-institute-1023841.
About Webb Institute
Webb Institute is a top-ranked, private undergraduate institution specializing in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. Located in Glen Cove, New York, Webb offers full-tuition scholarships to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents and boasts a unique Winter Work Term program, a close-knit campus community, and a 100% job placement rate for graduates. Learn more at www.webb.edu.
About Princeton Review
The Best 391 Colleges is one of more than 150 Princeton Review books in a line published by Penguin Random House. The book and its annual rankings have been featured on NBC TODAY more than two dozen times over the years and referenced by media from NPR to The Wall Street Journal and The Chronicle of Higher Education.
The Princeton Review (www.PrincetonReview.com), founded in 1981, is an education services company known for its tutoring, test-prep, admission services, school rankings, books, and other resources. Headquartered in New York, NY, it is not affiliated with Princeton University, and it is not a magazine.
Webb Institute Celebrates 128th Commencement with Inspiring Keynote by Tech Entrepreneur, Diane B. Greene
GLEN COVE, NY – June 17, 2024 – Webb Institute, a leading institution for naval architecture and marine engineering, celebrated its 128th commencement ceremony this weekend, marking a significant milestone for its graduates and the maritime community. The event featured a keynote address by Diane B. Greene, renowned technology entrepreneur, co-founder, and former CEO of VMware, who shared her inspiring journey and insights on leadership, innovation, and the importance of lifelong learning.
Diane B. Greene being awarded her Honorary Doctorate Degree from Webb President, Mark Martecchini and Board Chair, Bruce Rosenblatt
In her address, Ms. Greene emphasized the power of following one’s passion and embracing curiosity. Reflecting on her own path, she recounted a pivotal moment when a professor encouraged her to pursue naval architecture at MIT, a decision that ultimately shaped her career. “That little bit of encouragement to stretch myself beyond where I imagined my capabilities was enormous in altering the course of my life,” she shared. “I still aspire to help others as that professor helped me.”
Ms. Greene’s journey through MIT was marked by a blend of rigorous academic pursuit and personal passions. “At MIT, I learned rigor and developed a new area of interest—computer science,” she said. “Meanwhile, I was having fun on the water while, unbeknownst to me, continuing to develop my leadership skills through running regattas.” She emphasized the importance of curiosity, noting, “Humans are born with innate curiosity. Over my entire career, it has remained one of the most important qualities I look for when hiring someone.”
Drawing parallels between her experience and the education at Webb Institute, Ms. Greene praised the graduates for their depth of knowledge. “I have to say the more I learn about Webb Institute, the more I see that much of the value of your education is that you’ve all gone deep,” she remarked. Sharing advice she often gives to entrepreneurs, she said, “When I advise entrepreneurs, I always remind them that they are, or need to be, the world expert in what they are building.”
President of Webb Institute, Mark Martecchini speaks at its 128th commencement
Ms. Greene also touched upon the exciting future of naval architecture, highlighting opportunities in simulation, automation, new materials, and manufacturing processes, all leading to greater sustainability. “Naval architecture today seems to have amazing opportunities…All these things will help move the world forward,” she concluded.
Webb Institute’s President, Mark Martecchini expressed his pride in the graduating class and gratitude to Diane Greene for her inspiring words. “Our graduates are set to make significant contributions to the maritime field and beyond. Diane Greene’s journey and insights have given them the inspiration and guidance to excel in their careers.”
About Webb Institute:
Webb Institute is a top-ranked institution dedicated to preparing students for successful careers in naval architecture, marine engineering, and fields beyond, with every student receiving a full-tuition scholarship. With a rigorous curriculum, hands-on internship experiences, and a strong emphasis on innovation, Webb Institute graduates are highly sought after by leading companies in the maritime industry.
