USMMA vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Penn State Altoona is larger than USMMA based on total student enrollment (2,371 students vs. 976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USMMA vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USMMA or Penn State Altoona? 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 Penn State Altoona ($4,101 vs. $21,618).
• Penn State Altoona is 1,684.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USMMA (about $15,077 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $895.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2,912.1% higher at Penn State Altoona than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (about $26,063 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $895.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (78% vs. 10%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 118.8% larger than aid received by United States Merchant Marine Academy students ($11,088 vs. $5,067).

USMMA vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USMMA or Penn State Altoona? 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 Penn State Altoona and USMMA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at United States Merchant Marine Academy (1210) is 30 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming USMMA students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Penn State Altoona (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: United States Merchant Marine Academy 1110/1300; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: United States Merchant Marine Academy 22/29; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USMMA - Required; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USMMA Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USMMA students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at Penn State Altoona (3.4).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than USMMA (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.1% at USMMA vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

USMMA vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USMMA and Penn State Altoona? 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 $37,100 more per year than Penn State Altoona graduates about ten years after starting college ($92,400 vs. $55,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates have a $20,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($6,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, USMMA graduates have an estimated $210 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($67 vs. $277).

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.