St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens vs United States Merchant Marine Academy: which has better ROI?
United States Merchant Marine Academy has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $24,696 in 0.6 years versus 0.9 years at St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens, on median earnings of $90,610 vs $104,403 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens | United States Merchant Marine Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $26,315 | $6,174 |
| Total net cost | $52,630 | $24,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $104,403 | $90,610 |
| Median debt | $25,730 | $8,833 |
| Payback | 0.9 yrs | 0.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $1,068,230 | $820,304 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens or United States Merchant Marine Academy?
United States Merchant Marine Academy, at $6,174 a year after aid versus $26,315 — a gap of $20,141 a year, or $27,934 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens or United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates earn more?
St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens graduates report a median $104,403 ten years after entry, $13,793 more than the $90,610 at United States Merchant Marine Academy. 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, St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens or United States Merchant Marine Academy?
United States Merchant Marine Academy: its completers carry a median $8,833 in federal loans versus $25,730 at St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens, a difference of $16,897. 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 56% at St Paul's School of Nursing-Queens. 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.