Colleges got more rural students to apply. The challenge is getting them to attend
York.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/724x724+123+0/resize/100/quality/85/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F8d%2Fb8%2Fa47e013345fe9c67f8712ed4fd8a%2F687517609-1398786732295363-991184889233510104-n-2.jpg)](https://www.npr.org/2026/05/09/nx-s1-5789051/merchant-marine-sealift-jobs)
### [Economy](https://www.npr.org/sections/economy/)
### [They graduate to six figure salaries, and grueling work](https://www.npr.org/2026/05/09/nx-s1-5789051/merchant-marine-sealift-jobs)
The occasion was a two-day visit to encourage admitted applicants to enroll — including this