Last Updated: Monday August 03, 2026  ·  Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard Nov 2025
SUNY Maritime College — Acceptance Rate and Admission Requirements
Public Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education Throggs Neck, New York 78.5% Acceptance Rate

SUNY Maritime College Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

📍 Throggs Neck, New York 10465-4198 🏛️ Main Campus 🌐 www.sunymaritime.edu/

SUNY Maritime College — Admission Snapshot 2026

A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application

78.5%Acceptance Rate
3.4Avg GPA
1199Avg SAT
24Avg ACT
$28,880Annual Cost
$95,951Grad Salary
20.6%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
78.5%
Avg GPA
3.4
Avg SAT
1199
Avg ACT
24
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
1091–1285
ACT Middle 50%
22–26
Avg Net Price
$21,781
Need-Based Aid
20.6% receive Pell

SUNY Maritime College is a public institution in New York known for its specialized programs in maritime transportation, engineering, and related fields. With a focus on professional development, leadership, and high-impact career training, the college provides a unique and transformative educational experience. Its commitment to excellence in maritime education makes it a premier choice for students seeking a direct and effective path to success in the global maritime industry.

SUNY Maritime College Acceptance Rate

Admission at SUNY Maritime College is inclusive by design. 78.5% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.

What to Expect

  • Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
  • Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.

Selectivity at a Glance

Inclusive
SUNY Maritime College Selectivity Meter
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 78.5% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)

Recommended Academic Profile

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.40 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.95
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support

Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).

SUNY Maritime College GPA Requirement

The average GPA of admitted students at SUNY Maritime College is 3.4. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.

In the 3.10–3.4 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.

Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 3.60–3.80.

SUNY Maritime College GPA & Admission Outlook

Assessment: Selective, with solid academic performance as the expectation.

Recommended Strategy: A clear, defined strength in one activity or research area matters more than breadth.

This range is a rough map. Where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application.:

Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.40 – 4.00
Target/Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.20 – 3.39
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.00 – 3.19
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.99
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors

Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here

  • Membership in the Regiment of Cadets is mandatory for any student pursuing a U.S. Coast Guard license (deck or engine); it includes leadership training, drill, and summer Sea Terms aboard the Training Ship Empire State VII.
  • The Cadet Appointment Program (CAP) scholarship requires a minimum unweighted GPA of 87 (BS) or 90 (BE), with applications due by the January 31 regular decision deadline.
  • SUNY Maritime requires an admissions essay (unlike many SUNY schools) and one letter of recommendation, alongside a holistic review that includes Regents, AP, IB, and dual-enrollment credit.
  • All entering freshmen must complete a mandatory math placement exam administered the summer before entrance, separate from any submitted SAT/ACT scores.
  • Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself. A 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
  • Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average. The trajectory tells its own story.

Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.

Check Your Admission Chances at SUNY Maritime College

Admission Chance Predictor

Built from SUNY Maritime College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below

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Calculating Profile...

Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.

Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00

✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.

Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.

SUNY Maritime College Test Requirements

Scores aren't just a formality at SUNY Maritime College. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.

Can I Get Into SUNY Maritime College Without SAT or ACT?

SUNY Maritime College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.

SUNY Maritime College Average SAT Score: 1199

Admitted students at SUNY Maritime College average a 1199 SAT (out of 1600).

SAT Competitiveness

SUNY Maritime College SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1199 — Less Competitive

A 1199 average leaves meaningful room above it for a competitive application.

SAT Math
596
SAT Reading
593
Composite
1199
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1285 SAT or 26 ACT) to stand out. Below average? SUNY Maritime College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.

Scored under 1091? A retake is worth it at SUNY Maritime College. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.

SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SAT score percentiles for SUNY Maritime College
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math596546645
SAT Reading593545640
SAT Composite119910911285

A score under 1091 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1285+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)

View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1200

Can I get into SUNY Maritime College with a 1300 SAT?

At 1300, your SAT is squarely in SUNY Maritime College's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.

SUNY Maritime College ACT Requirements

SUNY Maritime College's admitted students average an ACT of 24.

ACT Competitiveness

SUNY Maritime College ACT Competitiveness
ACT 24 — Slightly Competitive

An average of 24 tracks near the middle of the national distribution.

ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

ACT score percentiles for SUNY Maritime College
SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
ACT Math262428
ACT Composite242226

Can I get into SUNY Maritime College with a 26 ACT?

At 26, you're in the top quarter of SUNY Maritime College's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.

The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.

Beyond the number itself, SUNY Maritime College weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 24

Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for SUNY Maritime College

Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation

Getting into SUNY Maritime College isn't the hard part. Building a solid academic foundation and securing aid early is where the real strategy lives.

Understand the Regiment of Cadets is mandatory if you want a Coast Guard license

Anyone pursuing a U.S. Coast Guard license (third mate/deck or third assistant engineer) must belong to the Regiment of Cadets, which layers military-style leadership training, physical fitness requirements, and summer Sea Term deployments aboard the Training Ship Empire State VII on top of academic coursework. If a license-bearing degree is your goal, research the Regiment's Rules and Regulations Manual directly, since this is a genuine daily-life commitment (drill, musters, quiet study hours), not a symbolic add-on.

Target the Cadet Appointment Program's specific GPA thresholds if you want the scholarship

SUNY Maritime's Cadet Appointment Program (CAP) scholarship requires a minimum unweighted GPA of 87 for Bachelor of Science candidates or 90 for Bachelor of Engineering candidates, with applications due by the January 31 regular decision deadline - meeting the GPA doesn't guarantee eligibility, since applications are reviewed individually. If you're aiming for CAP specifically, calculate your unweighted GPA precisely against these thresholds well before the deadline, since weighted GPA won't be the number that counts.

Don't count on a physical waiver if you're not currently qualified for licensure

Coast Guard physical requirements for licensure are determined individually at the time of application during senior year, and the college explicitly states cadets who are not physically qualified should not expect to receive a waiver - though those not qualified for the Merchant Marine license may still be eligible for a Naval Reserve commission through NROTC, since physical standards differ between the two programs. If you have a known physical condition that might affect licensure eligibility, research both pathways (Merchant Marine license vs. NROTC) early rather than assuming a waiver will resolve the issue later.

Complete your summer math placement exam - it's mandatory regardless of your other test scores

All entering freshmen must complete mathematics testing administered during the summer before entrance, a requirement separate from any general admissions test scores you've submitted. Don't skip or deprioritize this exam because you already submitted the SAT/ACT or feel confident in math - it's a distinct, mandatory placement step that determines your entering math course sequence.

Expert Insight:

A specific and easy-to-miss detail is that meeting the Cadet Appointment Program's GPA thresholds (87 unweighted for BS, 90 for BE) does not guarantee scholarship eligibility - applications are still reviewed individually by the admissions team, so a student assuming the published GPA numbers function as an automatic cutoff may be surprised when a qualifying GPA alone doesn't secure the award.

SUNY Maritime College Profile

Full Name
SUNY Maritime College
City
Throggs Neck
State
New York
ZIP Code
10465-4198
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)

Is a SUNY Maritime College Degree Worth It?

Whether SUNY Maritime College is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals. Here's the data to weigh it against.

Admitted students' families report a median household income around $80,100, and graduates see a 3.18% unemployment rate.

How much does a degree from SUNY Maritime College Cost?

Listed tuition runs $28,880/year at SUNY Maritime College. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $21,781.

At SUNY Maritime College, 20.6% receive a Pell Grant and 40.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming SUNY Maritime College on it improves your shot at both.

How much does a SUNY Maritime College Graduate earn?

Ten years out from enrollment, SUNY Maritime College graduates report a median income of $95,951, about 136% above the U.S. median graduate income.

$28,880Annual Cost
$21,781Net Price
20.6%Pell Grant
40.7%Federal Loan
$95,951Grad Salary (10yr)

Compare Similar Colleges

Less Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than SUNY Maritime College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
University of Arkansas Fayetteville, AR 1174 25
Harding University Searcy, AR 1187 25
Azusa Pacific University Azusa, CA 1155 22
Florida International University Miami, FL 1154 23
Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, FL 1182 25
Georgia College & State University Milledgeville, GA 1150 24
Georgia State University Atlanta, GA 1149 23
Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah, GA 1178 25
Spelman College Atlanta, GA 1184 24
Toccoa Falls College Toccoa Falls, GA 1155 23
Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as SUNY Maritime College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.

SchoolLocationSATACT
Birmingham-Southern College Birmingham, AL 1197 24
Samford University Birmingham, AL 1203 26
Dominican University of California San Rafael, CA 1194 26
Eastern Connecticut State University Willimantic, CT 1200 NA
University of Hartford West Hartford, CT 1207 29
More Competitive

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than SUNY Maritime College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

SchoolLocationSATACT
University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, AL 1251 26
University of Arizona Tucson, AZ 1261 26
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Prescott, AZ 1256 27
Biola University La Mirada, CA 1258 27
Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, CA 1278 26

Degree Programs at SUNY Maritime College

Bachelor Degree Programs

Masters Degree Programs

Associate Degree Programs

Professional Certificate Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About SUNY Maritime College Admissions

Graduates of SUNY Maritime College earn a high median salary of $95,951/year, varying by field.

Tuition at SUNY Maritime College is relatively affordable, around $28,880/year.

20.6% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average. SUNY Maritime College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.

SUNY Maritime College's acceptance rate is 78.5%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.

The average GPA of admitted SUNY Maritime College students is 3.4, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.

There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.1 puts you in the standard applicant pool at SUNY Maritime College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.

A GPA of 3 or below makes admission tougher at SUNY Maritime College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays, plus AP/IB coursework, can still keep you in contention.

SUNY Maritime College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1199, and within the 1091–1285 range, keeps you competitive.

Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.

The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.

SK

Sohaib Ahmad Khan

Sohaib Ahmad Khan is a leading career counselor and admission guidance expert who has guided over 50,000 students worldwide. He is the author of four books and developer of widely used career counseling and aptitude assessment systems. .

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