College of the Marshall Islands: $6,840 Tuition

$6,840Tuition

1,216Students

14%Grad Rate (6-yr)

#1 in MHPublic4-yearData: 2023-24

About College of the Marshall Islands

The College of the Marshall Islands serves as the primary higher education institution for this Pacific island nation. With 1,216 students spread across its Majuro campus, the college focuses on programs essential to local development including marine science and teacher education. Nearly all students (98.43%) come from within the Marshall Islands, creating a tight-knit community centered on addressing the nation's specific educational and economic needs.

Financial accessibility defines the student experience here. The average net price of $11,050 reflects the college's mission to serve a population where 95.52% of students receive Pell Grants. Students pay between $6,840 and $7,480 in tuition depending on residency status. With room and board costing just $3,000, the total attendance cost of $12,015 represents one of the most affordable college experiences in the Pacific region.

Graduation outcomes present significant challenges. Only 14.20% of students complete their programs within six years, with the four-year rate at 12.48%. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio provides reasonable access to instructors, while limited housing capacity of 190 beds means most students commute. The college operates on a semester system and serves primarily as a community college addressing local workforce development needs.

Academics & Faculty

The College of the Marshall Islands serves as the primary higher education institution for the Pacific island nation, focusing on programs that address local workforce needs. With a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, students receive reasonably personal attention despite the community college structure. The school emphasizes marine science programs that leverage the Marshall Islands' unique oceanic environment. Education programs train future teachers for local schools across the scattered island communities. However, the 14.20% six-year graduation rate reflects significant challenges many students face, including economic pressures and the need to balance studies with family responsibilities. Nearly all students (98.43%) come from in-state, creating a tight-knit academic community focused on developing local talent and preserving Marshallese culture through education.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Full-Time Faculty: 56.8%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 12.5%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 14.2%

Campus Life

The campus sits on Majuro Atoll in the heart of the Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles from any major city. You'll need sunscreen year-round as temperatures hover in the 80s with tropical humidity and occasional typhoons. With housing capacity for just 190 students and total enrollment of 1,216, only about 16% of students live on campus. The majority commute from across the atoll or neighboring islands.

Campus life revolves around the tight-knit island community where 98% of students are local residents. The 18:1 student-faculty ratio creates an intimate learning environment where professors know every student personally. With 95% receiving financial aid and the same percentage qualifying for Pell Grants, students often balance coursework with family and work responsibilities. Weekends might involve traditional Marshallese cultural events, fishing, or exploring the lagoon. The semester calendar accommodates local customs and weather patterns. Marine science programs take advantage of the pristine coral reefs and lagoons surrounding campus, while education majors prepare to teach in local schools throughout the Marshall Islands.

Housing Capacity: 190 beds
Calendar System: Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

No reported Clery Act crimes in 2023.

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 78°–85°F
July Avg: 78°–86°F
Annual Precipitation: 131.3"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

The College of the Marshall Islands draws almost exclusively from local communities, with over 98% of students calling the islands home. Nearly every student receives Pell Grants, reflecting the economic realities of this Pacific nation where higher education serves as a pathway to opportunity. Women slightly outnumber men in enrollment, a common pattern at community colleges focused on education and service careers. The student body represents the diverse Micronesian population of the Marshall Islands. Students typically balance coursework with family and community responsibilities while pursuing degrees that directly serve their island nation's development needs.

Men: 44.5%
Women: 55.5%
White: 0.0%
Black: 0.0%
Hispanic: 0.1%
Asian: 0.4%
In-State Students: 98.4%
Pell Grant Recipients: 95.5%

Location

The College of the Marshall Islands sits on Majuro, the capital atoll of the Marshall Islands in the central Pacific Ocean. This remote location places students over 2,300 miles from Honolulu, the nearest major city. The campus occupies part of a narrow coral atoll surrounded by lagoon waters and ocean, creating a unique island setting where traditional Pacific culture meets modern education. With 98.43% of students coming from in-state, the college serves as the primary higher education center for the scattered island nation. The tropical marine environment offers direct access to coral reefs and Pacific waters that support the school's marine science programs. Students considering colleges in the Marshall Islands may also compare College of the Marshall Islands with similar schools in the region.

Address: Majuro, MH 96960

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at College of the Marshall Islands?

College of the Marshall Islands serves as a community college with open enrollment for residents of the Marshall Islands. Nearly all students (98.43%) come from in-state, reflecting its mission to provide accessible higher education to local islanders who might otherwise have limited college options.

How much does College of the Marshall Islands cost after financial aid?

The average net price is $11,050 annually, which includes the low on-campus housing cost of just $3,000. An impressive 95.52% of students receive financial aid, with most qualifying for Pell Grants due to the economic conditions in the Marshall Islands.

What academic programs is College of the Marshall Islands known for?

The college focuses on programs that serve local community needs, particularly marine science and education. With a student-faculty ratio of 18:1 across its 1,216 enrolled students, the school emphasizes practical skills training relevant to island life and employment opportunities.

What is the graduation rate at College of the Marshall Islands?

The six-year graduation rate stands at 14.20%, with a four-year rate of 12.48%. These rates reflect the challenges many Pacific island students face, including economic pressures and the need to balance education with family and community responsibilities.

Does College of the Marshall Islands provide on-campus housing?

The college offers limited housing with a capacity of just 190 students out of its 1,216 total enrollment. Most students commute from nearby areas on Majuro Atoll, as the compact island setting makes campus housing less essential than at mainland institutions.

Where do most students at College of the Marshall Islands come from?

The student body is 98.43% in-state residents, making it one of the most geographically concentrated colleges in the United States. The college serves as the primary higher education institution for Marshall Islands citizens, with women comprising 55.51% of students and virtually no students from the continental U.S.