I've been lurking on this post since it was created and finally have the time to reply. I am going to provide a Coast Guard perspective...and hope that
@USCGA13STN or
@ekb1398 can also chime in. I'll provide my broad perspective and also address some of the comments I've seen on here.
For clarification, I am a 2014 graduate of USCGA, coming up on six years active duty this May. I majored in Government, specializing in International Relations. Upon graduation, I served for two years onboard a 270' cutter and spent most of my time conducting drug interdiction missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, transiting the Panama Canal several times and crossing the equator twice. I also spent a few deployments engaged in migrant interdiction, living marine resources (think fisheries enforcement), and search and rescue missions. Following that tour, I switched to Intelligence and have been in this specialty since 2016.
First, I cannot agree more on the notion that the mission HAS to be the ultimate deciding factor in your DD's decision. Every SA is different, but they are all very much the same in the general tone and mission - develop cadets and midshipmen mentally, physically, and morally to serve as commissioned officers in their respective services. The sizes may vary, locations are definitely different, the uniforms take on different appearances, and the quality of the food may change, but the purpose is the same. Ultimately, the mission is (or should be) the determining factor for each applicant. USCGA and USMMA serve very different purposes from our sister DoD SAs. The USCG is a Department of Homeland Security entity dedicated to a humanitarian mission. We are a small service, often overlooked until needed, but with a massively dedicated force that comes to feel like family.
I saw you mentioned that the job opportunities were less - I can assure you, that Coast Guard officers have a wide variety of job choices at their fingertips once the complete their first tour. This is not an exhaustive list but I encourage your daughter to check out this "After the Academy" page of the USCGA website:
https://www.uscga.edu/subspecialties/
What does she think she wants to do right now? I say think because I can guarantee her mind will change once or twice as she continues to develop and learn more about whatever service she chooses. I went to my ship thinking I wanted to do another afloat tour afterwards, that turned out not to be the case. Others thought they were only going to do one tour afloat and are now on their third straight afloat tour, having commanded their own ship at 24 years old. If you can give me some insight, I'm happy to tailor another post towards her specific ambitions. The one career field I will tell you that the Coast Guard does not provide is if she wants to be a doctor - we have Coast Guard physician assistants (PAs) but no doctors - those come from the U.S. Public Health Service.
As a side note, and for fun, I saw someone said we don't get to blow things up - trust me, I've been a part of sinking several drug trafficking vessels using a wide variety of methods, from ramming, to filling with water, to using it as target practice for gunnery exercises or flare training. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen.
As for notoriety, while the general public is typically unaware of USCGA, I have never had an issue with lack of awareness when it comes to engaging with reputable public and private sector entities. If anything, it often generates a lot of conversation, especially with vets from other services who want to know what the CG is like. Yes, our alumni association is not as big, but I can tell you that it is dedicated. As a small service, the chances that you and another alumni have worked with the same people are very, very high. I disagree with you on the level of prestige afforded USCGA, and while the network is always important, you ultimately have to prove yourself to a future employer, regardless of what institution you graduated from.
Now, a couple of setbacks for USCGA - there are only nine majors available, is she interested in any of them? CGA also does not offer minors, although double-majoring is a possibility if you validate enough classes. We also have an Honor Program that is just as dedicated at mentoring potential Rhodes/Fulbright scholars as the larger 3 SAs. USCGA is also predominantly a D3 school, with a few exceptions so if she wants to compete at the D1 level, she is not going to do it at USCGA unless she sails, rows crew, or shoots pistol/rifle. USCGA is located in New London, CT - it's certainly not as remote as WP but it's no Annapolis either. Additionally, as a small school, cadets are under a much finer microscope. From what SA exchange students have told me in the past, USCGA is perhaps the most regimented institution because of its size. There is little difference between how each company is run, the Corps leads the Corps - but with oversight from leadership. Some may see that as a drawback, I didn't mind so much.
As for not being able to visit, have her watch everyone possible YT video she can find - the USCGA website also has a virtual tour set up she can use to at least get a little bit of a layout. Again, this is just my initial response - I am happy to answer any specific questions you (or better - your DD) may have. I wish you DD the best of luck in her decision making, it is a great choice to have!
EDIT: I found another post I wrote in response to someone deciding between USNA and USCGA that provides a little more information:
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/usna-or-uscga.67433/#post-665295