KINGS POINT, N.Y., August 31, 2015 – Graduates of the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) at Kings Point are among the best earning college graduates in the nation according to a nation-wide study released last week.

The PayScale, Inc. 2015-16 College Salary Report ranked USMMA 5th for early career pay with an average salary of $77,900, only $5,000 behind the top school. For mid-career pay, PayScale ranked USMMA as 7th, with a median mid-career salary of $128,000.

The top earning USMMA alumni were, according to PayScale, “Captain, Mate, or Pilot of Water Vessels,” “Project Manager, Engineering,” and “Mechanical Engineer,” earning from $124,000 to $148,000.  For job satisfaction the survey respondents chose “extremely satisfied” in all cases.

“Academy graduates are essential for a vital maritime industry,” said USMMA Department Head of Professional Development & Career Services, Capt. Gene Albert, USMS. “We are planning our next career day in late September.  The maritime industry is anxious to hire our Mariner graduates, and will be here with good offers.”

PayScale's 2015-2016 College Salary Report ranked 1,519 colleges and universities by the median salaries of their alumni. The highest median alumni salaries come from students who attended small colleges with strong engineering programs. The federal service academies fared especially well for graduates’ early career earnings.