Cornell vs. USMMA

Comparable Facts

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

Cornell University is larger than USMMA based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 976 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Cornell University is located in Ithaca, NY (Small City setting); United States Merchant Marine Academy is in Kings Point, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Cornell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Cornell University 9:1; United States Merchant Marine Academy 13:1.

Cornell vs. USMMA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cornell or USMMA? 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 Cornell ($4,101 vs. $26,361).
• Cornell University is 7,644.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than USMMA (about $68,419 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $895.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7,644.6% higher at Cornell than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (about $68,419 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $895.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Cornell University than at United States Merchant Marine Academy (48% vs. 10%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 1,119.2% larger than aid received by United States Merchant Marine Academy students ($61,779 vs. $5,067).

Cornell vs. USMMA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 330 points higher than at USMMA (1210).
• Incoming Cornell 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: Cornell University 1500/1570; United States Merchant Marine Academy 1110/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Cornell University 33/35; United States Merchant Marine Academy 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cornell - Required; USMMA - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cornell Jan 2, 2027; USMMA Mar 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at USMMA (3.6).
• USMMA has a higher acceptance rate (34.2%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 63.9% at Cornell vs. 64.1% at USMMA.

Cornell vs. USMMA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cornell and USMMA? 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 Cornell University earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than USMMA graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $92,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than Cornell graduates ($6,500 vs. $12,000).
• Among borrowers, USMMA graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Cornell graduates ($67 vs. $124).

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.