Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at United States Naval Academy

This analysis requires a critical clarification: the Naval Academy charges no tuition and provides a monthly stipend to all students, who incur no educational debt. The $28,750 estimated debt figure—derived from other Maryland institutions—is completely inapplicable here. Every midshipman graduates debt-free in exchange for a five-year military service commitment.

The earnings estimate of $36,337 also misses the mark. As commissioned military officers, Naval Academy graduates receive standardized military pay and benefits starting around $40,000 base salary (before housing allowances, healthcare, and other benefits), regardless of major. The estimated figure, pulled from civilian liberal arts programs across Maryland, doesn't reflect the distinct career path Academy graduates follow. Their compensation package and career trajectory bear no resemblance to graduates from the state's other liberal arts programs listed for comparison—Notre Dame of Maryland or Frostburg State.

For families considering the Naval Academy, the financial calculation is straightforward but fundamentally different from traditional college: zero cost and guaranteed employment versus a significant military service obligation. The liberal arts degree itself is almost beside the point—what matters is whether your child is prepared for military service and leadership. The suppressed data here isn't hiding a story; it's simply reflecting that this institution operates in an entirely separate category from other colleges.