According to the publication the colleges were selected based on a return on investment rating score that includes institutional data from 658 institutions, student surveys, and alumni surveys covering starting and mid-career salaries as well as career social impact.
The publication states, “With a student body of about 1,000, it’s easy to see why graduates of the Coast Guard Academy form such a lifelong dedication to the school and each other.”
A student survey quotes a cadet saying, “I will have a guaranteed job once I graduate. And I am now part of the military family that takes care of its own.”
The Academy is a top military college granting Bachelor of Science degrees in one of nine engineering or professional majors. Cadets pay no tuition and receive a monthly stipend totaling approximately $12,000 per year. Graduates also earn a commission as an ensign and serve in the U.S. Coast Guard.