United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, New York · Public · 34.2% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 93/100 · Exceptional Value
The United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) scores 93 (Exceptional Value) — the combination of near-zero cost, high earnings, and minimal debt produces one of the most favorable financial profiles in the dataset. Tuition is $895 and the average net price is $6,174. The lowest income bracket pays $1,773 per year. Median 6-year earnings are $78,600, rising to $90,610 at 10 years. Median debt is $8,833 — the lowest in this batch — yielding a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.112 (99th percentile score). Payback period is 3 years. The earnings premium raw score of 2.252 is the highest in the dataset, meaning graduates earn 225% more than high school graduates — a function of the Academy's direct placement pipeline into the merchant marine, military, and civilian maritime industries. The 82.4% completion rate is strong for a service academy. The one reported program — Marine Transportation (105 graduates) — earns $69,847 year-one and $107,654 year-four, though debt data is not reported for this program. The repayment rate is imputed rather than observed by the Scorecard. Graduates incur a service obligation upon graduation, which shapes the career trajectory significantly.
Graduates recoup their total investment in just 3 years. The national average for 4-year schools is closer to 8-10 years.
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $895/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $895/yr |
| Average net price | $6,174/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $24,696 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $90,610 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $78,600 |
| Median debt at graduation | $8,833 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $94 |
| Estimated payback period | 3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 82.4% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 962 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at United States Merchant Marine Academy is $895/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $6,174/year, or roughly $24,696 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $1,773/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $9,168/year. The school provides substantial aid to low-income students, making it significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
The median graduate leaves with $8,833 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $94 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $90,610 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.11 - well within manageable territory.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,773 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,098 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,897 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,752 |
| $110,001+ | $9,168 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
The 0-30000 income bracket pays $1,773 per year at Kings Point — effectively free. Over four years, total net cost is under $7,100 against $78,600 median 6-year earnings and an $8,833 median debt balance. For low-income students with the aptitude and interest in maritime careers, USMMA represents one of the highest-leverage financial opportunities in American higher education.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $5,897 per year and the 75001-110000 bracket pays $8,752. All cost bands at Kings Point are low enough that the payback period and earnings trajectory are strongly favorable. Middle-income families face a total 4-year cost under $35,000, against $78,600 median 6-year earnings. The math is unambiguous at every middle-income level.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
Families earning $110,000+ pay $9,168 per year — $36,672 over four years. Against $78,600 median 6-year earnings and a 3-year payback period, the full-pay case is the strongest value proposition in this entire batch of 30 schools. The cost is low enough that even at the highest income bracket, the financial decision is straightforward.
Earnings by Major
Top 1 most popular majors at United States Merchant Marine Academy with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Transportation | $107,654 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Marine Transportation
Marine Transportation is the Academy's primary and dominant program: 105 graduates, $69,847 year-one earnings, $107,654 year-four. Debt data is not reported by the Scorecard for this program, and an ROI grade is not assigned as a result. The year-one and year-four trajectory reflects rapid advancement for licensed merchant mariners and naval officers. Graduates holding a U.S. Coast Guard license can command significant premium compensation in international shipping, liquefied natural gas transport, and offshore energy. The four-year figure of $107k underrepresents long-run compensation for graduates who advance to captain or chief engineer roles.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | N/A | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | N/A | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 91.6% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 93.2% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 34.2% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 550-650 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 560-650 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 22-29 |
| Enrollment | 962 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 7.8% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $11,875 |
USMMA's 34.2% admission rate understates selectivity because the application process requires a congressional nomination, which filters the pool before formal admission review. SAT ranges of 550-650 Math and 560-650 Reading are competitive but not hyperselective. The military structure and service obligation create self-selection that effectively narrows the applicant pool to students specifically committed to maritime or military careers.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
The Scorecard assigns USMMA peers including CUNY Baruch and New Mexico Tech — institutions that share some quantitative academic profile characteristics but not the service-academy model. Among the service academies (West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy), Kings Point is the only one with significant Scorecard data, making direct comparison difficult. Among public universities with similar earnings premiums, only top engineering schools approach a 2.252 earnings premium raw score. On cost-adjusted terms, USMMA is unmatched in the dataset.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States Merchant Marine Academy (this school) | 93 | $6,174 | $90,610 |
| CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | 92 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology | 89 | $9,873 | $76,489 |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | 81 | $3,103 | $60,752 |
| Charter Oak State College | 77 | $15,815 | $64,209 |
| University of New Hampshire College of Professional Studies Online | 72 | $10,864 | $66,479 |
Who Thrives Here
USMMA admits 34.2% of applicants. SAT mid-ranges are 550-650 Math and 560-650 Reading; ACT composite 22-29. At 962 enrolled students, the Academy is a small, highly structured environment with a federal service obligation attached to graduation. The 7.8% Pell grant rate is the lowest in this batch, reflecting the Academy's recruiting pool. Students must obtain a congressional nomination to apply — the admissions process differs fundamentally from civilian universities. The environment is regimented and mission-specific; applicants not drawn to maritime careers should look elsewhere.
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
United States Merchant Marine Academy is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $24,696 and median graduate earnings of $90,610 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 3 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 82.4% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $8,833 is very manageable against $90,610 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.