Head-to-head · 2026
Suffolk County Community College vs United States Merchant Marine Academy
Compare average net price ($5,258 at Suffolk County Community College; $6,174 at United States Merchant Marine Academy), ROI score (23.73 vs 36.69), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($49,907 vs $90,610), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Suffolk County Community College; 34.2% at United States Merchant Marine Academy) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Suffolk County Community College | United States Merchant Marine Academy |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 23.73 | 36.69 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $5,258 ✓ | $6,174 |
| 4-year avg net price | $21,032 ✓ | $24,696 |
| In-state tuition | $6,630 | $895 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,460 | $895 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $49,907 | $90,610 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 34.2% |
| Graduation rate | 28.7% | 82.4% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 61.9% | 84.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $8,250 ✓ | $8,833 |
| Enrollment | 14,218 | 962 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1207 |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Suffolk County Community College | United States Merchant Marine Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $2,393 | $1,773 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,623 ✓ | $4,098 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,960 | $5,897 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,786 | $8,752 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $11,764 | $9,168 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Suffolk County Community College reports the lower average net price by $916 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,664 difference over four years ($21,032 vs $24,696).
United States Merchant Marine Academy reports $40,703 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($90,610 vs $49,907). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 61.9% at Suffolk County Community College and 84.5% at United States Merchant Marine Academy. Median federal debt among completers is $8,250 vs $8,833, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
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Frequently asked
Suffolk County Community College vs United States Merchant Marine Academy, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Suffolk County Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,258 per year vs $6,174 at United States Merchant Marine Academy. The annual difference of $916 adds up to about $3,664 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
United States Merchant Marine Academy reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $90,610 vs $49,907 at Suffolk County Community College. The gap in the federal data is $40,703. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.