United States Merchant Marine Academy

United States Merchant Marine Academy admits approximately 32.5% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 3 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places the academy in the selective range among four-year institutions, though comparisons to typical colleges can be misleading given the academy's unique federal charter and service requirements.

The peer median admission rate of 84.2% highlights the significant difference between the academy's selectivity and typical public institutions, though this comparison reflects the academy's specialized mission rather than academic prestige. Unlike traditional colleges, admission to the academy requires not only academic qualifications but also physical fitness standards, security clearance eligibility, and commitment to federal service obligations.

Many qualified students who could excel academically may not meet the comprehensive eligibility requirements. The academy's selectivity reflects both academic standards and the demanding nature of maritime service careers.

Students considering the academy should understand that admission represents the beginning of a commitment to specialized training and federal service, not simply enrollment in higher education. Building a college list around the academy requires understanding its unique mission and considering whether traditional maritime engineering or business programs at civilian institutions might better match career goals without service obligations.

United States Merchant Marine Academy's published cost of attendance is $9,547 per year—exceptionally low due to federal subsidies covering most educational expenses. The cost breakdown includes just $945 in tuition, with $4,591 allocated for books and supplies.

Unlike traditional institutions, the academy provides room and board through its federal funding, making the total cost significantly lower than comparable programs. The average student pays $7,506 after financial aid, representing savings of $2,041 from the already-low sticker price.

This net price is $5,796 lower than the peer median of $13,302, reflecting the academy's unique federal funding structure. The cost ranges from $3,476 for families earning under $30,000 to $9,547 for families earning over $110,000, showing minimal variation due to comprehensive federal support.

The academy's affordability reflects its status as a federal service academy where students receive substantial educational subsidies in exchange for service commitments. This financial model eliminates most traditional college costs while requiring graduates to serve in the maritime industry or military.

Students should understand that the low cost comes with service obligations that affect post-graduation career flexibility, making the true cost calculation more complex than simple tuition and fees.

United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates demonstrate unique earnings patterns reflecting maritime industry career trajectories. Median earnings begin at $96,770 six years after enrollment, remain steady at $96,520 at eight years, then adjust to $90,610 at ten years, representing a 6.4% decrease from the six-year mark.

These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 116 graduates, providing reliable confidence in the reported figures. Graduates earn $45,240 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing the academy at the 99.0th percentile for earnings uplift—top 5% performance nationally.

Earnings span from $69,688 at the 25th percentile to $123,809 at the 75th percentile, reflecting differences in career paths within maritime transportation and government service. Approximately 25% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, though most enter direct workforce roles in specialized maritime positions that require academy training and federal licensure.

United States Merchant Marine Academy offers one bachelor's degree program with federal earnings data for analysis. The Commercial Fishing program ranks #2 nationally and #1 in New York, producing 96 graduates with median earnings of $101,017 and a value score of 80.0.

This program classification encompasses the academy's specialized maritime transportation curriculum, including marine engineering, deck operations, and logistics management. As the flagship program at the institution, it represents 100% of graduates and reflects the academy's unique mission to train officers for the U.S.

Merchant Marine. The program's top-tier national ranking demonstrates the academy's specialized excellence in maritime education and its direct connection to industry employment pathways.