TU vs. USMMA

Comparable Facts

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

Towson University is larger than USMMA based on total student enrollment (19,401 students vs. 976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Towson University is located in Towson, MD (Small City setting); United States Merchant Marine Academy is in Kings Point, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Towson University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Towson University 14:1; United States Merchant Marine Academy 13:1.

TU vs. USMMA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, TU 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 TU ($4,101 vs. $16,653).
• Towson University is 1,210.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than USMMA (about $10,833 more per year; $11,728.00 vs. $895.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3,231.8% higher at TU than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (about $28,925 more per year; $29,820.00 vs. $895.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Towson University than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (73% vs. 10%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Towson University students is 133.3% larger than aid received by United States Merchant Marine Academy students ($11,820 vs. $5,067).

TU vs. USMMA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, TU 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 TU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at United States Merchant Marine Academy (1210) is 120 points higher than at TU (1090).
• Incoming USMMA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 23 at TU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 950/1235; United States Merchant Marine Academy 1110/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Towson University 19/27; United States Merchant Marine Academy 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: TU - Test optional; USMMA - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: TU Apr 1, 2027; USMMA Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman TU students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.69) than students at USMMA (3.6).
• TU has a higher acceptance rate (82%) than USMMA (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.2% at TU vs. 64.1% at USMMA.

TU vs. USMMA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for TU 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 $38,900 more per year than TU graduates about ten years after starting college ($92,400 vs. $53,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates have a $11,250 lower median loan debt than TU graduates ($6,500 vs. $17,750).
• Among borrowers, USMMA graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than TU graduates ($67 vs. $183).

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.