USMMA vs. SU

Should I go to United States Merchant Marine Academy or Shenandoah University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if USMMA or SU is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

JMU University of Lynchburg Roanoke College VCU Marymount University Longwood University Liberty University Mason YCP CNU TU Shepherd University
United States Merchant Marine Academy vs. Shenandoah University comparison
United States Merchant Marine Academy Shenandoah University College 3 College 4
United States Merchant Marine Academy Shenandoah University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

 USMMA SU
Location Kings Point, NY Winchester, VA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 961 4,343
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #523
Religious Affiliation - United Methodist - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website usmma.edu su.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 USMMA SU
Tuition (In State) $0 $34,614
Tuition (Out of State) $0 $34,614
Room & Board $0 $11,800
Avg Net Price $5,173 $26,400
Avg Grant Aid $4,374 $24,100
% Receiving Grant Aid 7% 100%

Admission

 USMMA SU
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,392 3,763
Admitted 452 2,929
Acceptance Rate 32.5% 77.8%
Enrolled % 61.3% 16.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.6 3.7
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Challenging Moderate
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 23/29 19/26
SAT Range 1140/1300 1010/1230
Submit Test Scores Required to be considered for admission Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Mar 1, 2026 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

 USMMA SU
Student to Faculty Ratio 13:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (36%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (17%)
  • Education (16%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Biology (4%)

Outcomes

 USMMA SU
Graduation Rate - 45%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $92,400 $48,300
Making Student Loan Payments - 60%
Median Student Loan Debt $6,500 $25,000
Median Loan Payment $67 $258

Diversity

 USMMA SU
% Men 1% 9%
% Women 1% 31%
Racial Diversity Low High
HBCU No No
% White 75% 59%
% Black 3% 11%
% Hispanic 10% 6%
% Native American 2% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 4%
% International 1% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 13%

Students

 USMMA SU
% In-State 15% 58%
% Out-of-State 85% 42%

Campus

 USMMA SU
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • Shenandoah University is larger than than USMMA based on total student enrollment (4,343 students vs. 961 students)

USMMA vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USMMA or SU?

  • Shenandoah University is ?% more expensive to attend than USMMA for in-state tuition ($34,614.00 vs. $0.00)
  • Out of state tuition is ?% higher at SU than United States Merchant Marine Academy ($34,614.00 vs. $0.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at United States Merchant Marine Academy than SU ($5,173 vs. $26,400)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Shenandoah University than United States Merchant Marine Academy (100% vs. 7%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 451% larger than aid received United States Merchant Marine Academy ($24,100 vs. $4,374)

USMMA vs. SU Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USMMA or SU? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between SU or USMMA .

  • The average SAT score at United States Merchant Marine Academy (1220) is 215 points higher than at SU (1005)
  • Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at USMMA (3.6)
  • SU has a higher acceptance rate (77.8%) than USMMA (32.5%)

USMMA vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, USMMA or SU? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between SU and USMMA.

  • Graduates from United States Merchant Marine Academy earn on average $44,100 more per year than SU graduates after ten years. ($92,400 vs. $48,300)
  • United States Merchant Marine Academy students graduate with a $18,500 lower median federal student loan debt than SU graduates. ($6,500 vs. $25,000)
  • USMMA graduates are paying $191 less per month on federal student loans than SU graduates. ($67 vs. $258)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/