
College of the Marshall Islands (CMI) is a public college in Majuro that grew out of postsecondary education efforts in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. It became an independent national college in the early 1990s, following the period when local college instruction was connected to the wider College of Micronesia system.
That history helps explain CMI's emphasis on education and workforce needs within the Marshall Islands. Its programs include academic transfer pathways alongside preparation for fields such as teaching and health care. Applicants comparing CMI with colleges abroad should consider both the credential they want and where they hope to work or continue their education.
CMI organizes its offerings around academic and career programs rather than a large university-style system of separate schools. Its catalog includes associate-degree and certificate pathways in areas such as liberal arts, education, business, nursing, and technical or workforce education.
Program choice matters because an associate degree intended for transfer serves a different purpose from a credential designed for local employment. A prospective nursing or teacher-education student, for example, should review the current catalog for admission steps, fieldwork or clinical requirements, and any rules governing professional practice. Applicants planning to earn a bachelor's degree elsewhere should compare required courses with the receiving institution's transfer requirements before enrolling.
CMI's main campus is in Majuro, the capital of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, on Majuro Atoll. It serves a geographically dispersed country, so attending can involve very different travel and living arrangements for Majuro residents and students arriving from other atolls.
The campus's location places students near government offices, community organizations, and potential local employers. Travel from outer islands may require advance planning around flight or boat schedules. Marshall Islands International Airport serves Majuro, but students relocating for college should budget for the complete trip, local transportation, and housing - not just airfare.
CMI's stated educational purpose centers on accessible postsecondary education for the people of the Marshall Islands. Its institutional priorities connect academic learning with workforce preparation and service to Marshallese communities.
This is a public, community-oriented mission rather than a religious affiliation. For applicants, the practical question is how a particular program carries out that purpose: an education pathway may prepare students for work in schools, while a liberal arts pathway may be more useful as a foundation for further study. A mission statement describes institutional aims; it does not, by itself, establish a student's likely academic or employment outcome.
Name of the institution
College of the Marshall IslandsLevel of institution
Four or more yearsControl of institution
PublicInstitutional Category
Degree - granting, not primarily baccalaureate or aboveInstitution size category
1,000 - 4,999School type
Four-year collegeMain student body
CoeducationalCalendar system
SemestersFoundation year
1993College of the Marshall Islands is institutionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.
Certificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
Associate's degree
Bachelor's degreeData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.