KINGS POINT, N.Y. July 16, 2025 —The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is one of the Nation's best colleges for students seeking a great education with excellent career preparation and at a relatively affordable price, according to The Princeton Review®. Last month the education services company named USMMA as one of its Best Value Colleges for 2025. Of the 209 schools, 68 are public institutions, and 141 are private institutions. Nine of the schools are tuition-free.   

The criteria for the school selections broadly cover three subjects: academics, affordability, and career outcomes for graduates. More than 40 data points from the survey of administrators as well as surveys of students and of alumni were analyzed in the selection process. 

“We are very proud to be included in this year’s list of 'Best Value Colleges'," said Captain Tony Ceraolo, Superintendent (Acting). “Each USMMA graduate earns a world-class education, but the true value is in the service that they provide to the American people.”

Upon graduation, USMMA midshipmen receive a Bachelor of Science Degree, an Officer’s Commission in the U.S. Military and a United States Coast Guard Merchant Marine Officer License which ensures a steady stream of U.S. merchant marine officers to support the Nation’s economic and security interests. In exchange for their education, Kings Point graduates serve five years on active-duty in the U.S. military, or work in the maritime industry for five years with an eight-year commission in any branch of the reserves.

"The schools on our 'Best Value Colleges' lists this year are truly exceptional," said Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief of The Princeton Review. "They offer outstanding academics and excellent career services. They also demonstrate extraordinary commitments to affordability via generous financial aid and/or comparatively low sticker prices. We commend them for all that they do to help students afford to attend them and we recommend them highly to college applicants." Franek noted an encouraging statistic for students considering the schools: "A high percentage (41%) of the colleges that made our lists this year admit 50% or more of their applicants."

Note: The Princeton Review does not rank the schools on a combined list from 1 to 209.

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ABOUT USMMA
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, located in Kings Point, N.Y, educates and graduates licensed merchant mariners and leaders of exemplary character who will serve America’s marine transportation and defense needs in peace and war. The U.S. Merchant Marine is administered by the Department of Transportation.