CUNY Bernard M Baruch College vs United States Merchant Marine Academy: which has better ROI?
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $12,132 in 0.4 years versus 0.6 years at United States Merchant Marine Academy, on median earnings of $75,971 vs $90,610 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | United States Merchant Marine Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,033 | $6,174 |
| Total net cost | $12,132 | $24,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $75,971 | $90,610 |
| Median debt | $11,512 | $8,833 |
| Payback | 0.4 yrs | 0.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $540,088 | $820,304 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College or United States Merchant Marine Academy?
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, at $3,033 a year after aid versus $6,174 — a gap of $3,141 a year, or $12,564 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do CUNY Bernard M Baruch College or United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates earn more?
United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates report a median $90,610 ten years after entry, $14,639 more than the $75,971 at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College or United States Merchant Marine Academy?
United States Merchant Marine Academy: its completers carry a median $8,833 in federal loans versus $11,512 at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, a difference of $2,679. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
82% of students finish at United States Merchant Marine Academy, against 72% at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.