<p>are we back to those tighty whities AGAIN???? :eek:</p>
<p>Ran across an interesting MARAD site discussing what the obligations of graduate of Kings Point (and other maritime academies) have. The estimated cost of a USMMA education is $187,000 for the class of 2005, which is supposed to be repaid if you don't meet the obligations. Cruise around the site, KP friends! Has all the letters and presentation to the senior class. <a href="https://mscs.marad.dot.gov/index.asp%5B/url%5D">https://mscs.marad.dot.gov/index.asp</a></p>
<p>USMMA seems a bargain compared to what they project at USNA ($275K) and USMA ($295k)! a nickle at a time someone said.....</p>
<p>Thinking about the varied costs between the academies, in my own mind, I have to wonder if the lower value at KP is due to Sea Year. Half of the entire student body is not housed, fed, clothed or attending classes for a good chunk of their 4 year time there. In addition, they don't earn a stipend as do the others. What do you guys think? Any ryhme or reason to my thinking? I always have wondered that.</p>
<p>And a big thanks Weski. I've never seen that web page or been refered to it. Pretty good info to save.</p>
<p>That was for the Class of 2005 - I am sure it will be more for the class of 2010! As I recall, USNA, USMA and USAF actually pay their students a stipend. I know they don't at USMMA (except when at sea when they are paid by the ships - $800/mo). Not sure about USCG - Bill? It is a fabulous deal anyway you look at it! Of course, you owe them for the next 6-8 years...Most inexpensive state school would run about $25k to $250k at top privates for 4 years.</p>
<p>Jamzmom: I think you are right - they are gone for 3 trimesters, with supervision and travel expenses only. If one divides $275 by 4 years its $79K per year. So it's about the same as Navy AND no stipend...pretty comparable in real dollar terms. What is the regular military academy stipend these days? Comes out of DOD. What about the Coasties? They are Homeland Security now.</p>
<p>Most of the top private schools are running around $40K a year- Yale and Harvard just broke 40k....so I guess, in comparison, a bargain compared to the estimates at the academies. Just something to think about should you seperate early and have to pay it back! </p>
<p>A lot of the costs associated with the numbers posted for the academies depends on the facility size- with USMA being the largest- however, USAFA needs to support an airfield and aircraft, while USNA supports a fleet of YP's, sailboats, and the like. KP does have the Kings Pointer, but the size of the actual facility is considerably smaller, as is the overhead. </p>
<p>From what I have read, the salary paid to the midshipmen/kay-dets is not factored into the cost of the education estimates.</p>
<p>CGA kids do get a stipend similar to the other service academies.</p>
<p>USMMA:$187,000</p>
<p>USNA:$275,000</p>
<p>USMA:$295,000</p>
<p>USCGA:Priceless!</p>
<p>Coast Guard-Don't leave port without it.</p>
<p>"Coast Guard-Don't leave port without it."</p>
<p>More like "never leaves port" :) haha j/k boss</p>
<p>now now- I can vouch for USCGA- have seen plenty of puddle jumpers on the sound- a few have even boarded my boat to "inspect"....gotta love them- especially when I get a "good to go!"</p>
<p>True Navy's 100 ft. yacht is well known to all Coast Guard personell in the LI Sound.</p>
<p>But they're so..... orange. If they were a pretty green or blue I'd like them so much more. I'm trying to visualize Jamz in orange. Doesn't work for me. LOL</p>
<p>Good one KP. ;)</p>
<p>Bossf51: so I've been spotted! Did ya catch the jacuzzi on the bridge? My better half says I have "2 footers disease"....always want it just 2 feet bigger! (thats the boat I'm referring to!)</p>
<p>Well, if it is as was quoted in Nightengale's Song, "...crammed up your ass a nickle at a time." Less is more!</p>
<p>LOL "Less is more". Has a nice ring to it for USMMA. Very witty of you LFWB! </p>
<p>If you need 2 more feet added to your boat Navy2010, Kp can do that for ya.</p>
<p>I don't think most cadets choose Deck over Engine because it is easier. Engineering is something you have to have an interest in and an apptitude for before you get to KP. Once you are there that interest will either be ignited or it won't. Is engineering harder than transportation, yes it is. I don't think that's a good reason not to choose an engine program if that is what interests you the most. The transportation major is not a breeze by any means. You've got to have an apptitude for it also. You are exposed to both your plebe year. Most know what they want before sea year. Also I have sailed with cadets in the past (not recently) that were allowed to change their major immediately after their first sea year. This may not be allowed anymore.</p>
<p>Well, I guess you can tell by reading some of this, that we pretty much keep ourselves entertained around here. GRIN ~ We start off with good intentions then it goes way off track. Mostly my fault... But so glad you're here to add serious thoughts to really serious questions. Cause we really have no idea of some of the answers. My kid is a deckie. The first tri he looked at both & I really thought he swaying to the other side. But I think he's settled. He has natural talent for moving stuff from point A to point B. Wants to know where & why and how it happens. Logistics is what excites him. He could fool us, but I think he's good to go. They truly frown on changing majors but I don't think its set in stone that you can't. There's quite a few who are going dual I understand.</p>
<p>"There's quite a few who are going dual I understand"</p>
<p>This used to be a much more viable option at KP. My class, '01, was the last class that had this as a normal option while attending KP. My roomate was one and I would not wish that program on my worst enemy, haha. I think we had around 8 or 9 dual grads. It is my understanding that to do that program now one must have some college experience prior to starting their plebe year. Anyone know any specifics?</p>
<p>The two duals I know of personally have had one year of college. Interesting. I'll have to ask Jamz if he pops his head out of his fox hole over the next few days between inspection & a blizzard. :)</p>