The Best Military Schools and Academies
Military schools are available in a wide range of categories and educational levels from elementary school through college; for boys only; coed; college preparatory; military service; private, public, state and federal operated.
There are hundreds of military regime structured learning facilities throughout the United States. The following institutions have been rated the best in their distinct categories for education and leadership curricula.
Military High Schools and College Prep Schools
Fork Union Military Academy
Located in Fork Union, VA, it is 54 miles from Richmond, VA. This is a male only college preparatory high school for grades 6 through 12 and is not affiliated with any military service. The goal of the academy is to develop solid citizens with academic and leadership principles.
The student population is small and the admissions criteria are rigid. The overall average SAT score for the student population is 1525.
Hargrave Military Academy
Located in Chatham, VA, it is 56 miles from Roanoke, VA. This is a male only college preparatory institution for grades 7 through 12. Hargrave is a college preparatory school with no military service affiliation. The goal of this school is to prepare the students with educational, civic and leadership responsibilities. The student population is less than 4000 and the application requirements are strict. The overall average SAT score for the student population is 1515.
New York Military Academy
Located in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, it is 60 miles from New York City. This is a co-ed preparatory high school for grades 8 through 12. The academy is affiliated with the United States Army. The school employs a military educational model to develop academic and skilled future leaders. The cadet population consists of a few thousand cadets and there is a rigid application process. The overall average SAT score for the student population is 1500.
Randolph-Macon Academy
Located in Front Royal, VA, it is 69 miles from Washington, DC. This is a co-ed college preparatory school for grades 8 through 12. The academy is affiliated with the United States Air Force. The school places emphases on scholastic and military leadership development. The school has a population of several thousand students. The application process is strict with acceptance of only the top few percentiles. The overall average SAT score for the student population is 1485.
Military Service Academies
There are five military academies affiliated with the parent military component that funds the schools. They are classified as Federal Service Academies. Each school has a high ranking military Commandant that serves as the school’s Dean. The application processes are long and rigid. Only the top few elite candidates for each school are accepted. All of the academies have a co-ed student population.
Each academy provides a solid four year curriculum with college degrees in several disciplines. The structure of these colleges is two fold; academic and military leadership development. For these Federal Service Academies, there is no tuition, room and board, books or related expense costs, and the students each receive a monthly military style stipend during their attendance. Graduates are obligated to various lengths of service, from three to five years, as an officer with their parent military component upon graduation. Individuals who do not graduate must pay back the cost of their education to the federal government.
Graduates are allowed to request membership in another military branch of service on a one-for-one exchange. A graduate from the United States Military Academy can join the United States Air Force, if a graduate from the United States Air Force Academy wants to serve in the United States Army.
List of American Government Military Academies:
US Military Academy
Located in West Point, NY, the parent military service is the United States Army. The student population is about 4500. The estimated value of this school’s four year college level program is $205,000 for each cadet.
US Air Force Academy
Located in Colorado Springs, CO, the parent military component is the United States Air Force. The student population is about 4400. The estimated value of the academy’s four year college level program is $433,000 for each cadet.
US Naval Academy
Located in Annapolis, MD, the parent military branch is the United States Navy. The student population is approximately 4600. The estimated value of the school’s four year college level program is $375,000 for each midshipman.
US Coast Guard Academy
Located in New London, CT, the parent military organization is the United States Coast Guard. The student admission process is very selective and the student population, of less than 1000, is the smallest of all the Federal Service Academies. The estimated value of this institution’s four year college level program is $365,000 for each cadet.
US Merchant Marine Academy
Located in Kings Point, NY, the parent military component is the United States Merchant Marines. Unlike the other four military schools, Merchant Marine Academy graduates can elect to serve in their parent military component or go into the reserves or on active duty in any of the other military branches. The student population is just over 1000. The estimated value of the academy’s four year college level program is $206,000 for each midshipman.
