College & University 

United States service academies

The United States service academies, also known as the United States military academies, are federal academies for the undergraduate education and training of commissioned officers for the United States Armed Forces.

There are five U.S. service academies:

Description

     Service academies can be used to refer to all of the academies collectively. While they are often referred to as military academies, only the Military Academy, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy are operated by the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard Academy is operated by the Department of Homeland Security, and the Merchant Marine Academy is operated by the Department of Transportation. Students enrolled at Military Academy, Naval Acacemy, Air Force Academy, and Coast Guard Academy are considered to be on active duty in the United States Armed Forces from the day they enter the Academy, with the rank of cadet or midshipman, and subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Students enrolled at Merchant Marine Academy serve in the US Navy Reserve, with the rank of midshipman and are only subject to the UCMJ while actively training with the US military on Navy orders.

The Naval Academy and Air Force Academy are noteworthy in that they each serve two different services. The Naval Academy commissions midshipmen into both the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. The Air Force Academy commissions cadets into both the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Space Force.

What is ROTC?

ROTC stands for “Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.” Essentially, ROTC programs prepare students for future service in the US Armed Forces. The Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps all have their own ROTC programs. Students enrolled in ROTC programs take military courses alongside the coursework required for their selected majors. When students receive their degrees, they also receive their officers’ commission.

1) Norwich University

As the birthplace of the ROTC, Norwich University is, arguably, the standard-bearer of ROTC colleges. Norwich University is a military college, like West Point, the Naval Academy, and the Air Force Academy. Located in Northfield, Vermont, Norwich University is one of eight ROTC colleges to win a General Douglas MacArthur Foundation Award in 2021. Some numbers at a glance: Norwich University is home to roughly 2,600 on-campus students and boasts a 16-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio. Significantly, over 90% of its graduates were employed, pursuing a graduate degree, or in military service within 8 months of graduation.

4) MIT

Is it any surprise that MIT, one of the most consistently top-ranked schools in the country, also has a strong ROTC program? MIT offers Air Force, Army, and Navy ROTC programs. Many of the ROTC scholarships awarded cover the full cost of admission and fees. Since it was founded in 1865, MIT’s ROTC programs have produced more than 12,000 commissioned officers. MIT’s ROTC homepage provides solid overviews of the focus of each program. The Army ROTC curriculum, for instance, emphasizes leadership and management training.


6) Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee is a private university well renowned for its academic rigor. The ROTC programs at Vanderbilt are distinguished as well. Vanderbilt has both Army and Navy ROTC programs. In addition to the standard curriculum, Vanderbilt ROTC programs offer summer development opportunities like Cadet Troop Leader Training and internships in public affairs, research, national nuclear security, and more. The Vanderbilt Army ROTC website offers a good look into the day of a typical ROTC cadet, which starts with physical training at 6 AM.

The 15 Best ROTC Colleges (Continued)

8) Michigan State University

Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, has a robust military tradition dating back to 1884. Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC programs are available at Michigan State. The Army ROTC program was ranked as high as 12th in the nation. In addition to the rigorous course of study, there are several extracurricular clubs and activities available to Michigan State cadets. These include marksmanship skill development and volunteer programs with local elementary schools.

9) Villanova University

Villanova University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has Army and Naval ROTC programs. The Naval ROTC program, which began in 1946, has produced 22 Admirals and Generals in the Navy and Marine Corps. All “midshipmen”—those enrolled in the Naval ROTC—may select any major, from engineering to business to nursing. Villanova is a school known for its strong academics, so ROTC students at Villanova have access to an exceptional liberal arts education outside of their military training.

The 15 Best ROTC Colleges (Continued)

10) Georgetown University (plus American University, George Washington University, and Catholic University)

In 2011, the Army ranked the Hoya Battalion—the combined ROTC program of Georgetown University, American University, the Catholic University of America, George Washington University, and the Institute for World Politics—the best in the country. Georgetown is one of the most elite institutions of higher education in the country, and GW and American both rank within the top 100 schools in the US. For those after a career in government, you can’t get any better than starting out your academic, military, and professional training in Washington, DC.

11) Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech hosts a full-time active cadet corps and has Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine ROTC programs. The Corps sees itself as a leader development program, and it emphasizes the development of practical and ethical leadership skills. For more than ten years, the Corps’ combined GPA has been above 3.0. To give a sense of the size and success of the program—in 2021, the Corps graduated 65 commissioned Army officers, 36 commissioned Navy officers, 48 commissioned Air Force officers, and 7 commissioned Marine Corps officers.


13) Virginia Military Institute

Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia has a reputable tradition as an ROTC college—in fact, ROTC participation is mandatory for all students. The school’s track record speaks for itself: 260 graduates of Virginia Military Institute have gone on to become generals in the US Armed Forces, despite the fact that the school is so small, with an enrollment of just over 1,500 students. A beautiful, intimate campus, small class size, well-defined culture, and a rich history make VMI one of the top ROTC colleges in the country.


15) The Citadel

The Citadel (The Military College of South Carolina) is known as one of the best ROTC colleges in the country. It’s a privately-owned military college where ROTC participation is mandatory. The school’s track record is studded with accolades, among them: over 278 Citadel graduates have gone on to become generals in the United States Armed Forces. No wonder it’s often referred to as the “West Point of the South.”