USMMA vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than USMMA based on total student enrollment (2,462 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); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: United States Merchant Marine Academy 13:1; Vassar College 7:1.

USMMA vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USMMA or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($4,101 vs. $29,981).
• Vassar College is 7,836.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USMMA (about $70,135 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $895.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7,836.3% higher at Vassar than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (about $70,135 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $895.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Vassar College than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (55% vs. 10%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 1,033.7% larger than aid received by United States Merchant Marine Academy students ($57,443 vs. $5,067).

USMMA vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 290 points higher than at USMMA (1210).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 25 at USMMA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: United States Merchant Marine Academy 1110/1300; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: United States Merchant Marine Academy 22/29; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USMMA - Required; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USMMA Mar 1, 2027; Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at USMMA (3.6).
• USMMA has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.1% at USMMA vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

USMMA vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USMMA and Vassar? 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 $34,000 more per year than Vassar graduates about ten years after starting college ($92,400 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates have a $9,280 lower median loan debt than Vassar graduates ($6,500 vs. $15,780).
• Among borrowers, USMMA graduates have an estimated $96 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Vassar graduates ($67 vs. $163).

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.