It’s no secret that going to the military can be a great experience for students looking to serve their nation and get an education; however, there are many paths to do so. Attending military colleges is one way to get a collegiate experience while also understanding more about a life of service.

What Is a Military College?

Military colleges are places of higher learning that also offer cadets a military experience throughout their time of enrollment.

There are a few different types, including service academies, senior military colleges, junior military colleges, and maritime academies.

In exchange for a service commitment, these institutions provide full tuition and in the case of US service academies, you’ll also receive compensation for your books, housing, and even healthcare.

US Service Academies

There are five service academies available through the US military. Depending on who enlist with, here are your options:

• The United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, is available for Soldiers and Guardsmen.
• The United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland is available to those joining the Navy or Marines.
• Airmen and Guardians can attend the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
• The United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, provides quality education to Coast Guardsmen.
• Those working towards becoming licensed Merchant Marine Officers and their education may attend the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York.

If you graduate from a service academy, you’ll receive a Bachelor of Science degree and become commissioned as an Officer in your branch.

As for service, all graduates are required to serve at least five years of active duty with three years being in the Reserves.

How to Get into a Service Academy

Getting into a service academy will look different for each; however, there are a few constants everyone should understand.

Preparation is key as these military colleges will require you to pass certain academic and physical thresholds to attend.

Be ready to take the ACT and SAT while also preparing to pass the specific Candidate Fitness Assessment provided by the service academy you wish to attend.

Furthermore, you must meet the following qualifications:

• You’re a US citizen of good moral character.
• You’re between the ages of 17 and 23 before July 1 of the year you’re entering the service academy.
• You must be single and have no dependents.

Typically, cadets entering a military college represent the top of their high school class, so study and train hard to gain acceptance.

You can learn more about the minimum scores for the SAT and ACT that you’ll need online via The White House.

Senior vs Junior Military Colleges

Outside of the traditional service academies within the American Armed Forces, there are also senior and junior military colleges.

Though similar, these institutions offer differing timelines, programs, and educational opportunities.

Senior Military College (SMC)

An SMC provides students with a four-year education, has strong ties to the military, and will provide students with a glimpse at a life of service through their Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) programs.

In addition to pursuing your education, there are drills, dress inspections, and workout commitments students will engage in that emulate life in the military:

• Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont
• The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina
• Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas
• University of North Georgia (UNG) in Dahlonega, Georgia
• Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia

While Norwich University is private, the rest are all public colleges/universities.

Originally known as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy, the ROTC program was founded at what is now Norwich University by Captain Alden Partridge in 1819, following his role as the superintendent of West Point.

Military Junior Colleges (MJCs)

In addition to the SMCs, four military junior colleges are offering the Army's Early Commissioning Program (ECP), which provides a two-year ROTC program instead of four.

Completing your education at an MJC allows you to be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant when entering service. Here are the four MJCs available:

• Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Georgia
• Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama
• New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, New Mexico
• Valley Forge Military Academy and College in Wayne, Pennsylvania

What Is a Maritime Academy?

Cadets attending a maritime academy work toward licenses from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and/or the U.S. Merchant Marine. There are military colleges in addition to the USMMA offering programs for both the Navy and USCG.

Some of the programs offering maritime academy studies are part of larger college/university programs but there are six schools available, including:

• California State University Maritime Academy in Vallejo, California
• Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, Michigan
• Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, Maine
• Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
• State University of New York Maritime College (SUNY Maritime College) in Bronx, New York
• Texas A&M Maritime Academy in Galveston, Texas

Military Graduate Schools

If you are pursuing a graduate program, you can find plenty of options for military graduate schools while serving.

Keep in mind that there are several colleges/places of education within each branch’s system and collaborative programs with other universities, however, these are the core schools available:

• Air Force: Air University (AU) at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama
• Army: Army University in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and the United States Army War College (USAWC) at the Carlisle Barracks in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
• Navy: Naval War College (USNWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, and the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California
• Marines: Marine Corps University (MCU) in Quantico, Virginia
• Space Force: Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C.; though there are also campuses in Bologna, Italy, and Nanjing, China

The Coast Guard also has graduate school opportunities, including full scholarships, in which qualified personnel can continue their education while committing to serve.

One example of a specific program associated with the USCG would be the US Coast Guard MARGRAD Program offered by Texas A&M.

Are Military Colleges Good Schools?

Military colleges can provide plenty of great opportunities in education and for service careers.

Not only do you receive a great academic education, but you’ll also gain additional skills, such as leadership and becoming accustomed to life in the military.

Discipline is built into every military college experience and built with a variety of academic programs in various fields available, the options cadets pursue provide advantages in school, during service, and beyond.

In addition to all of these great features, the networking opportunity you receive through alumni can help you grow as a warfighter and in your industry.

Finally, all of this is available with full scholarships for those who serve their nation and can help you save on rising educational expenses.

If you’re passionate about pursuing your education and serving the United States, military colleges are great options to consider.

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