USMMA vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than USMMA based on total student enrollment (17,171 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); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: United States Merchant Marine Academy 13:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

USMMA vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USMMA or WCU? 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 WCU ($4,101 vs. $22,546).
• West Chester University of Pennsylvania is 1,103.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than USMMA (about $9,880 more per year; $10,775.00 vs. $895.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2,425% higher at WCU than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (about $21,704 more per year; $22,599.00 vs. $895.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at West Chester University of Pennsylvania than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (73% vs. 10%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students is 12.7% larger than aid received by United States Merchant Marine Academy students ($5,709 vs. $5,067).

USMMA vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at United States Merchant Marine Academy (1210) is 20 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Incoming WCU students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at USMMA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: United States Merchant Marine Academy 1110/1300; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: United States Merchant Marine Academy 22/29; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USMMA - Required; WCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USMMA Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USMMA students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.6) than students at WCU (3.43).
• WCU has a higher acceptance rate (78.4%) than USMMA (34.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 64.1% at USMMA vs. 22.4% at WCU.

USMMA vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USMMA and WCU? 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 $43,400 more per year than WCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($92,400 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates have a $17,000 lower median loan debt than WCU graduates ($6,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, USMMA graduates have an estimated $175 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than WCU graduates ($67 vs. $242).

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.