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.
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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) | $9,168 |
| Tuition and Fees | $895 |
| Books and Supplies | $2,080 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$2,994 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $6,174 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $1,773 |
| $30–48k | $4,098 |
| $48–75k | $5,897 |
| $75–110k | $8,752 |
| $110k+ | $9,168 |
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.
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt is well below typical first-year earnings — generally considered very manageable.
United States Merchant Marine Academy students graduate with exceptionally low debt levels, with median debt of $8,833 compared to a peer median of $21,500—a difference of $12,667 in favor of academy graduates. Debt ranges from $3,500 at the 25th percentile to $14,600 at the 75th percentile, showing compressed borrowing patterns across the student body.
The academy's debt performance ranks at the 91st percentile nationally, reflecting top-tier affordability outcomes. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.10 indicates highly manageable borrowing relative to post-graduation income, with debt representing less than 10% of median earnings.
Federal funding substantially reduces borrowing needs, allowing most students to complete their education with minimal debt accumulation. The low debt levels reflect both the academy's federal subsidies and students' ability to meet educational costs through the structured federal support system.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
United States Merchant Marine Academy represents one of the strongest educational investments in American higher education for students committed to maritime careers. Graduates earn $45,240 beyond expectations compared to similar students, ranking at the 99.0th percentile nationally—top 5% performance.
With median debt $12,667 below peer institutions and median earnings $43,936 above peer medians, the academy delivers exceptional return on investment. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.10 indicates highly sustainable borrowing relative to income potential.
Academy graduates consistently rank among the top 5% nationally for both median earnings and earnings beyond expectations, while maintaining debt levels well below national averages. This combination creates extraordinary long-term financial advantages for graduates who complete service obligations.
United States Merchant Marine Academy's financial aid profile reflects its federal service academy status rather than traditional need-based assistance. With only 7.3% of students receiving Pell grants, the academy serves primarily middle and upper-middle income families who benefit from comprehensive federal subsidies.
The gap between the $9,547 sticker price and $7,506 average net price shows modest additional aid beyond federal funding. Unlike civilian institutions where aid concentrates toward lower-income students, the academy's funding model provides broad subsidies for all admitted students regardless of economic background.
The financial aid structure connects directly to service obligations, with students receiving substantial educational benefits in exchange for maritime service commitments. This model reduces traditional financial barriers while creating different types of commitments that may not suit all students.
