That $10,000 can be somewhat confusing as the Academy assumes some personal costs and travel costs. The "required" fees currently run about $375 per trimester. These fees are not paid when a midshipman is out to sea. Plebe year, a student is required to purchase a computer, some personal items, and some education items. As a convenience, these items can be purchased in packages. From memory, I believe the computer/printer/warranty package was just under $1,900, the personal kit around $375, and the education kit for engineers around $175. My DS purchased the computer package, the personal items kit and a couple extra sets of PT gear. He skipped the educational kit as he already owned most of what was required. His personal expenses are about $150/month for travel and leave in NYC or Great Neck, some food ordering, and Amazon/NEX orders. Some spend more on those items, some spend less.
While comparisons between Academies are not particularly helpful, I often hear it said that the others are free and KP has fees. Well, yes and no. The students at the other Academies are charged fees for similar items. However, they are not directly billed. Rather, it is is deducted from their monthly "salary". Thus, it feels free, but it is borne by the student - just indirectly. AT KP, the students earn approximately $1,000 a month while at sea and also may have paid internships during their time at KP. Apples and Oranges, but all fruit.
Insurance is different at KP than the other Academies. Unlike the other Academies, KP students are not covered by TriCare or any other government issued health/dental insurance coverage. KP maintains a medical/dental office on campus to attend to the necessary physicals required for sea duty, routine health and dental issues, and to provide assistance in obtaining off-site emergency care, if needed. All other costs are 100% the responsibility of the student and insurance courage is required. A student policy to meet those needs was about $1,500/year by Allen J. Flood. If a KP student is injured while playing a sport or at sea, worker's compensation kicks in and covers the resulting medical costs - up to worker's compensation limits. However, worker's compensation will NOT apply if it is determined that the injuries occurred outside of the approved performance of that student's duties as a sea cadet or a student athlete (i.e., they were doing something stupid and not approved).
These differences exist because KP is not under the Department of Defense or Homeland Security. Rather, it is under the Department of Transportation, more specifically MARAD. The midshipmen at KP are Navy Reservists but are NOT on active duty. In my experience, some who attend KP, or parents of those who attend, get very excised about KP being treated differently than the other Academies. I think that is a mistake. KP has a different mission that the other Academies, different opportunities for their graduates, and a different history of service and valor. Notice that I did not say less, or second class, or less vital - just different. It is the differences that drove my son to attend KP, despite other offers ("better" offers in the eyes of some). I, like most who get to know KP, see flaws, weaknesses, and problems - just like any organization or educational facility. I also see many things that are being done right. How the fees/costs/pay compares to other students at other Academies is not something to be concerned about. Instead, understand the costs involved and then be sure that KP offers you what you want upon graduation.