Military colleges are schools to help train students in various branches of the military. Students will receive an academic education while preparing them for their time in the service. Below, we’ve outlined what a military college is, listed some examples, and provided some information about applying to them.
What is a Military College?
Military colleges are educational institutions that are designed to educate current and future military members. They can be for students in JROTC or ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) or for students who are aiming to become an officer in their branch.
Military colleges will usually cover military training, academics, discipline, and leadership. Students will be required to wear uniforms and stick to a rigid daily schedule.
When people think of military colleges they usually think of the service academies, such as the United States Military Academy in West Point. However, there are other military colleges and schools available to students and service members including senior colleges, state-supported maritime colleges, service graduate schools, junior colleges, private secondary schools, and public secondary schools.
Service Academies in the United States
There are 5 service academies in the United States. These include:
1. United States Military Academy
- Acceptance Rate: 12%
- Enrollment: 4,393
- Location: West Point, NY
- 2025 Ranking: #21 in the Mid-East
Also known as West Point, the United States Military Academy is for cadets looking to enter the Army as officers. It was founded in 1802, but was originally an Army post during the Revolutionary War. Cadets are called fourth class, third class, second class, and first class cadets, with brigades, regiments, battalions, and companies. Alumni have included Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee, Douglas MacArthur, and Edgar Allan Poe.
2. United States Naval Academy
- Acceptance Rate: 10.8%
- Enrollment: 4,450
- Location: Annapolis, MD
- 2025 Ranking: #30 Overall
The United States Naval Academy is also called the USNA. The academy was founded in 1845. Students who graduate will receive commissions as Ensigns in the Navy or second lieutenants in the Marine Corps, and they must serve for at least 5 years. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was part of the graduating class of 1947.
3. United States Air Force Academy
- Acceptance Rate: 16.2%
- Enrollment: 4,085
- Location: USAF Academy, CO
- 2025 Ranking: #1 in the Rocky Mountain Region
The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) is located in El Paso County, Colorado. Founded in 1954, graduates go on to become second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force or Space Force. Students receive specialized aviation and aerospace training during their four years at the academy. Graduates have included Rhodes Scholars, Marshall Scholars, and leading government officials.
4. United States Coast Guard Academy
- Acceptance Rate: 23.9%
- Enrollment: 1,049
- Location: New London, CT
- 2025 Ranking: #21 in New England
Founded in 1876, the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) was originally known as the Revenue Cutter Service School of Instruction. Students are known as cadets and are officers in training. The only available majors are Political Science and Government, Business Administration and Management, Oceanography, Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Operations Research, Civil Engineering, Computer and Information Systems Security, and Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
5. United States Merchant Marine Academy
- Acceptance Rate: 27.4%
- Enrollment: 943
- Location: Kings Point, NY
The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) was founded in 1943 and is for training midshipmen. Students will learn about marine engineering, maritime law, international law, customers, and more to prepare them for service on a ship. Graduates can go on to become officers in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Senior Military Colleges
Service academies in the United States are notoriously difficult to get into. In response to their low acceptance rates, the United States ordered the creation of senior military colleges. These are still prodigious, but have much higher acceptance rates compared to the service academies and don’t require congress-endorsement to attend. There are currently six senior military colleges:
NORWICH UNIVERSITY
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Enrollment: 3,363
- Location: Northfield, VT
Norwich University is the oldest senior military college, having been founded in 1819. The U.S. Department of Defense even considers it the birthplace of the ROTC program. Originally known as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy, Norwich University would inspire others to open their own military colleges. Intelligence and Criminal Justice are the two most popular majors at Norwich.
THE CITADEL
- Acceptance Rate: 98%
- Enrollment: 3,721
- Location: Charleston, SC
The Citadel, formally known as the Citadel Military College of South Carolina, was established in 1842 after the state required the creation of the South Carolina Military Academy. The system also included Arsenal Academy in Columbia, SC, but it would be destroyed during the Civil War and not reopen. There are five schools within The Citadel: Business, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Mathematics.
TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
- Acceptance Rate: 63%
- Enrollment: 74,014
- Location: College Station, TX
- 2025 Ranking: #6 in Southwest
Did you know that Texas A&M University is a senior military college? Technically, it’s an organization within the school known as The Corps of Cadets, often called “the Corps.” Prior to 1965, Corps membership was mandatory and women were only accepted to the university a year before in 1964. Today, only those who join the Corps also join ROTC at the school. Cadets live in the dorms known as the Quad, and they’re divided by their ROTC affiliation.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA
- Acceptance Rate: 72.4%
- Enrollment: 18,029
- Location: Dahlonega, GA
The University of North Georgia (UNG) is part of the University System of Georgia. Although the university wouldn’t officially open their doors until 2013, the school has roots dating back to 1873 with the foundation of the North Georgia Agricultural College (later known as North Georgia College and State University). The ROTC program was added to the school in 1916. In 2013, this school and Gainesville State College would be combined to create the University of North Georgia.
VIRGINIA MILITARY INSTITUTE
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Enrollment: 1,512
- Location: Lexington, VA
While Norwich University is the oldest senior military college in the United States, Virginia Military Institute (VMI) is the oldest public senior military college. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, the future Confederate general, taught at the school in 1851. Students were regularly called to join the Confederates in the midst of the Civil War, but several would also join the Union. VMI has several traditions, dating back to the 1800’s, and a very strict honor code.
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY
- Acceptance Rate: 57%
- Enrollment: 38,170
- Location: Blacksburg, VA
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, often simply called Virginia Tech or VT, is home to the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets (VTCC). VT was opened in 1872 as the Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College, and the Corps of Cadets was a part of the founding. Leadership training is offered by those who participate in the military program, and students can choose between a Military-Leader Track or a Citizen-Leader Track based on their goals after graduation.
State-Supported Maritime Colleges
Similar to USMMA, state-supported maritime colleges prepare students for maritime careers. Graduates will receive the necessary licenses depending on their career from the U.S. Merchant Marine organization or the U.S. Coast Guard. Students aren’t always offered a commission after graduation, but the courses still cover all the necessary skills and training required of officers.
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY MARITIME ACADEMY
- Acceptance Rate:
- Enrollment: 849
- Location: Vallejo, CA
- 2025 Ranking:
Part of the California State University System, Maritime Academy is often known as Cal Maritime or CSU Maritime Academy. It’s the only maritime academy on the West Coast. The school was established in 1929 as the California Nautical School and would get its current moniker in 2015. The school may soon be integrated with California Polytechnic State University due to declining enrollment and financial concerns.
GREAT LAKES MARITIME ACADEMY AT NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN College
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Enrollment: 3,098
- Location: Traverse City, MI
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is part of Northwestern Michigan College and is the only maritime academy that offers the First Class Great Lakes Pilot license. It’s also the only one located on fresh water. Cadets in the program participate in commercial sea projects with shipping companies, and often go on to become pilots or maritime engineers after graduation.
MAINE MARITIME ACADEMY
- Acceptance Rate: 61.5%
- Enrollment: 897
- Location: Castine, ME
Maine Maritime Academy (MMA) was established in 1941 and has five different schools available to students in Engineering, Marine Transportation, Business and Logistics, Ocean Studies, and Arts and Sciences. It has a Naval ROTC (NROTC) program. The most popular major is Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, followed by Marine Science and International Business.
MASSACHUSETTS MARITIME ACADEMY
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Enrollment: 1,425
- Location: Buzzards Bay, MA
Founded in 1891, Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) was originally known as the Massachusetts Nautical Training School. All students living on campus become part of the Regiment of Cadets, but students can request to commute and not join the program. MMA’s current training ship is the NSMV Patriot State II.
STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK MARITIME COLLEGE
- Acceptance Rate: 78.9%
- Enrollment: 1,427
- Location: Throggs Neck, NY
State University of New York Maritime College, or SUNY Maritime College, is the oldest state-supported maritime college in the United States, having been founded in 1874. Many students major in Marine Science, followed by Mechanical Engineering. In addition to bachelor’s degrees and licenses, SUNY Maritime College also offers master’s degrees and professional certificates.
TEXAS A&M MARITIME ACADEMY
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Enrollment: Around 2,300
- Location: Galveston, TX
Texas A&M Maritime Academy is located at the Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG), which is a branch campus of the Texas A&M University at College Station. This branch is the only maritime college on the Gulf Coast. All academic programs offered at the school are ocean-focused, with students studying marine biology, marine science, and maritime studies.
Service Graduate Schools
Service graduate schools are schools that offer master’s degrees to military members.
- Air University
- Army University
- John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
- Joint Special Operations University
- Marine Corps University
- National Defense University
- National Intelligence University
- Naval Postgraduate School
- Naval War College
- The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
- United States Army War College
Junior Colleges
Military junior colleges (MJC) offer two-year educations that lead to officer commissions in the U.S. Army, known as an Early Commissioning Program, or prep to enter one of the five Service Academies. There are currently four in the country:
GEORGIA MILITARY COLLEGE (Milledgeville, Georgia)
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Enrollment: 6,998
- Location: Milledgeville, GA
The Georgia Military College (GMC) is a military junior college, but it’s also an elementary school, middle school, high school, and junior college. Not all students are required to be cadets. GMC’s cadets learn leadership skills and take part in daily physical training. The first six weeks will introduce new cadets to traditions and expectations at the college.
MARION MILITARY INSTITUTE (Marion, Alabama)
- Acceptance Rate: 59%
- Enrollment: 320
- Location: Marion, AL
The oldest military junior college, founded in 1842, is Marion Military Institute. One program offered by the school is known as the Service Academy Program, which is designed to prepare students for one of the Service Academies. MMI also has the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and the Marine Corps Platoon Leaders Course.
NEW MEXICO MILITARY INSTITUTE (Roswell, New Mexico)
- Acceptance Rate: 58%
- Enrollment: 424
- Location: Roswell, NM
The New Mexico Military Institute is the only junior military college in the West. Founded in 1891, the school became co-educational in 1977. The campus, styled after the Virginia Military Institute, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Valley Forge Military Academy and College
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Enrollment: Around 200
- Location: Wayne, PA
Valley Forge Military Academy and College is the only private military junior college. It’s also a boarding school for students in grades 7 through 12. All students are required to join the Corps of Cadets. College students can choose to pursue an Associate of Arts, an Associate of Science, or an Associate in Business Administration degree, while also earning an early commission if they meet the requirements and complete the program.
Are There Military Colleges in Other Countries?
Yes, many other countries have their own military colleges. For example, there is the Sandhurst Royal Military Academy in the United Kingdom, the Indian Military Academy in India, and the National Defense Academy of Japan. In Canada, there is the Royal Military College of Canada.
Should You Attend a Military College?
Attending a military college is a very personal choice, and only one you can make. If you’re thinking about it though, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind, including:
- They Require a Term Commitment. All service academies in the United States require you to serve in the armed forces upon graduation for a set number of years, usually five. More may be required if you attend graduate school.
- You Have to Meet High Academic and Physical Fitness Standards. Military colleges and service academies demand the best from their students, and this includes high grades. Physical fitness is also crucial and cadets and other students will have to meet the fitness standards in order to remain at the college.
- They’re Very Competitive. Spots at military colleges are highly coveted and highly competitive. Students should have high grades, high SAT/ACT scores, extracurricular participation, and demonstrated leadership skills. Military colleges can also require medical assessments, fitness assessments, and interviews.
- Students usually need to have a nomination to apply. For example, West Point candidates have to receive either a Congressional nomination or Service-Connected nomination in order to apply and attend the school. A nomination doesn’t guarantee acceptance.
Find the Right College For You
Attending a military college can be a great way to start your military career, especially if you want to enter the armed forces as an officer. However, receiving an acceptance letter isn’t easy, and students considering one of these service academies need to plan ahead to get the nomination required to apply.
Do you think a military college or service academy is a good fit for your education, careers, and military service goals? College Raptor can help you learn more about acceptance rates, SAT/ACT scores, and more. Start here with College Match to learn more.
