Howard vs. USMMA

Comparable Facts

Compare Howard University in Washington, DC with United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Howard University is larger than USMMA based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); United States Merchant Marine Academy is in Kings Point, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; United States Merchant Marine Academy 13:1.

Howard vs. USMMA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard or USMMA? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at United States Merchant Marine Academy than Howard ($4,101 vs. $33,368).
• Howard University is 3,901.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than USMMA (about $34,915 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $895.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3,901.1% higher at Howard than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (about $34,915 more per year; $35,810.00 vs. $895.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Howard University than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (99% vs. 10%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Howard University students is 319.6% larger than aid received by United States Merchant Marine Academy students ($21,262 vs. $5,067).

Howard vs. USMMA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard or USMMA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USMMA and Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Howard University (1210) is the same as at USMMA (1210).
• Incoming Howard students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at USMMA (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; United States Merchant Marine Academy 1110/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28; United States Merchant Marine Academy 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; USMMA - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027; USMMA Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at USMMA (3.6).
• Howard has a higher acceptance rate (41.3%) than USMMA (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 64.1% at USMMA.

Howard vs. USMMA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard and USMMA? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from United States Merchant Marine Academy earn a median of about $40,600 more per year than Howard graduates about ten years after starting college ($92,400 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates have a $20,500 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($6,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, USMMA graduates have an estimated $212 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($67 vs. $279).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.