USMMA vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Shenandoah University is larger than USMMA based on total student enrollment (4,454 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); Shenandoah University is in Winchester, VA (Small City setting).
• United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Shenandoah University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: United States Merchant Marine Academy 13:1; Shenandoah University 12:1.

USMMA vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USMMA or SU? 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 SU ($4,101 vs. $27,181).
• Shenandoah University is 4,028.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than USMMA (about $36,055 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $895.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4,028.5% higher at SU than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (about $36,055 more per year; $36,950.00 vs. $895.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Shenandoah University than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (100% vs. 10%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Shenandoah University students is 388.4% larger than aid received by United States Merchant Marine Academy students ($24,747 vs. $5,067).

USMMA vs. SU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USMMA or SU? 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 SU and USMMA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at United States Merchant Marine Academy (1210) is 90 points higher than at SU (1120).
• Incoming USMMA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at SU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: United States Merchant Marine Academy 1110/1300; Shenandoah University 1010/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: United States Merchant Marine Academy 22/29; Shenandoah University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USMMA - Required; SU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USMMA Mar 1, 2027; SU Aug 1, 2027.
• 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%) than USMMA (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.1% at USMMA vs. 16.7% at SU.

USMMA vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USMMA and SU? 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 $44,100 more per year than SU graduates about ten years after starting college ($92,400 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates have a $18,500 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($6,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, USMMA graduates have an estimated $191 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($67 vs. $258).

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.