Education & Training
Military Schools
The Military offers unique educational opportunities for students who plan to pursue a college degree. These options — service academies, senior military colleges and maritime academies — offer world-class education and a deeper understanding of military culture. In addition, most of these schools grant scholarship money in exchange for a period of service.
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Service Academies
For students who want to experience a military environment while getting a first-class education, the five service academies offer an outstanding education and full four-year scholarships. Tuition, books, board and medical and dental care are all fully paid for all four years.
The competition to get in is fierce. Admissions criteria include:
- High school academic performance
- Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)
- Athletics and extracurricular activities
- Leadership experience and community involvement
- A congressional letter of recommendation (not required by the Coast Guard Academy)
Graduates of all academies receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as officers in their respective Service branches. After graduation, they are obligated to serve a minimum of five years.
Service Academies by the Numbers
Army
U.S. Military AcademyPhone Number
845-938-4041
Total Enrollment
4,400
Admissions Per Year
1,300
% Female
20%
Navy and Marine Corps
U.S. Naval AcademyPhone Number
410-293-1858
Total Enrollment
4,474
Admissions Per Year
1,178
% Female
25.7%
Air Force
U.S. Air Force AcademyPhone Number
800-443-9266
Total Enrollment
4,051
Admissions Per Year
1,226
% Female
23.3%
Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard AcademyPhone Number
800-883-8724
Total Enrollment
1,000
Admissions Per Year
300
% Female
36%
Merchant Marine
U.S. Merchant Marine AcademyPhone Number
516-726-5800
Total Enrollment
908
Admissions Per Year
279
% Female
17%
Senior Military Colleges
Similar to service academies, senior military colleges (SMCs) offer a combination of higher education and military instruction. They are among the most prestigious and famous education institutions in the world, and they offer financial aid packages for eligible students. Every SMC cadet must participate in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program, but only those cadets who receive an ROTC scholarship are required to enter military service following graduation.
Senior Military Colleges by the Numbers
Phone Number
800-826-8247
Total Enrollment
2,530
% Female
15%
Phone Number
802-485-2000
Total Enrollment
1,524
% Female
16%
Phone Number
540-231-6000
Total Enrollment
1,713
% Female
11.4%
Phone Number
843-225-3294
Total Enrollment
2,291
% Female
7%
Phone Number
540-231-6000
Total Enrollment
1,093
% Female
16.5%
Phone Number
888-413-9366
Total Enrollment
772
% Female
17%
Phone Number
540-887-7042
Total Enrollment
100
% Female
100%
Maritime Academies
An additional option for students is a maritime academy. The United States Merchant Marine is the fleet of civilian-owned merchant ships that carry cargo and passengers on behalf of the United States. In times of war, the Merchant Marine is an auxiliary to the Navy and can be called upon to transport service members and supplies for the Military.
Maritime academies produce shipboard officers for vessels integral to shipping and transportation needs, but a service commitment is not always required.
Maritime Academies by the Numbers
Phone Number
508-830-5000
Total Enrollment
1,571
% Female
13%
Phone Number
877-824-7447
Total Enrollment
205
% Female
5.8%
Phone Number
800-464-6565
Total Enrollment
608
% Female
7.9%
Phone Number
707-654-1000
Total Enrollment
1,107
% Female
17%
Phone Number
718-409-7200
Total Enrollment
1,850
% Female
13%
Phone Number
409-740-4706
Total Enrollment
609
% Female
8%