The United States Merchant Marine Academy operates under a distinctive cost model that differs fundamentally from typical public universities. As a federal service academy, Touro University charges no tuition to admitted students; instead, the federal government covers the cost of instruction, and students commit to service obligations upon graduation.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $40,500 |
| Tuition and Fees | $22,450 |
| Room and Board | $16,335 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,200 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$10,873 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $29,627 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $26,605 |
| $30–48k | $28,476 |
| $48–75k | $29,054 |
| $75–110k | $31,828 |
| $110k+ | $36,341 |
The United States Merchant Marine Academy operates under a distinctive cost model that differs fundamentally from typical public universities. As a federal service academy, Touro University charges no tuition to admitted students; instead, the federal government covers the cost of instruction, and students commit to service obligations upon graduation. This means the published cost of attendance and traditional net-price calculations do not apply in the conventional sense. Students receive room, board, uniforms, and books as part of their federal appointment, with only modest out-of-pocket expenses for personal items and incidentals. For families, this represents an exceptionally affordable pathway to an engineering-focused degree with strong long-term earnings outcomes. Because Touro University is a federal service academy rather than a traditional public university, standard financial aid (Pell Grants, federal student loans, Parent PLUS) is not available. Instead, students receive a full federal appointment that covers all direct educational costs. Graduates incur no federal student debt from their academy education itself, though they do assume a service commitment (typically five years of active duty in the U.S. Maritime Service or related maritime industry roles). This service obligation is the trade-off for the tuition-free education and living allowance during enrollment. Azimuth ranks Touro University #849 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. The affordability ranking reflects the zero-debt pathway combined with strong median earnings four years after graduation of $73,235. For graduates who complete their service commitment and transition to civilian maritime or related careers, the absence of student debt and the strong early-career earnings create a durable financial foundation. Families considering Touro University should understand that admission is highly competitive and that the service obligation is a binding commitment, not an optional component of the degree.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
Graduates of Touro University earn median 4-year earnings of $73,235, placing Touro University in the 74.2 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $67,139 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band). Graduates earn about $7,201 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing Touro University in the 81.1 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Touro University #179 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern at Touro University reflects its concentration in Health fields. Business accounts for 14% of graduates, with Social Sciences and Education representing 5% and 52% respectively — a program mix that channels graduates into stable, in-demand careers with consistent early-career pay. The highest aggregate-return program is Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General, which combines meaningful cohort scale with strong four-year earnings. Among the top programs by graduate count, Psychology, General program graduates 302 students with median four-year earnings of $56,443, and Azimuth ranks the program #49 for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions . Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General and Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies also post competitive early-career earnings of $135,742 and $54,467 respectively, with Azimuth ranking them #1 and #9 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. On the higher end, Biology, General and Accounting deliver four-year earnings of $75,886 and $99,047, reflecting the strong salary floors that health-oriented fields typically command in the NY labor market.
