United States Military Academies are extremely competitive and typically, only the most qualified candidates will gain acceptance. These academies are also an instrumental part of officer training programs within the U.S. Armed Forces. One of the key strengths of the U.S. military lies in its ability to educate a substantial number of officers through these institutions, with the largest ones capable of producing thousands of officers annually. In addition to these academies offering extensive training and top-tier military education, they also offer many free benefits, one of which is a world-class education.
In terms of the student body, one of the nation’s largest military academies is the United States Military Academy at West Point, situated on the Hudson River in New York State, approximately 50 miles from New York City. Established in 1802, it currently enrolls around 4,600 cadets. West Point is renowned for its comprehensive approach to education, encompassing academic coursework, military training, and character development. However, it ranks as the fourth-largest American military academy in terms of size. (Here’s a roster of the most famous West Point grads.)
24/7 Wall St. was able to identify the 28 largest U.S. military academies by referring to the online database of military academies provided by Military School USA, an online directory of military academies designed to help families understand the ins and outs of military school education. We listed these schools from smallest to largest based on their total student enrollment, listing only schools with 500 or more students enrolled. We supplemented this data with information from Military School USA regarding each school’s location, type, founding date, and whether each is co-educational.
Most of these larger academies are concentrated on the East Coast, often tracing back to historical population density patterns in that region. Nonetheless, three of these academies are in California, with the oldest dating back to 1930 and the other two established in the early 21st century. The largest of all, founded in 1962, is situated in Galveston, Texas. (These are the oldest U.S. military academies still in operation.)
Here are the biggest military schools in America.
28. Fork Union Military Academy
- Student body: 500
- Founding date: 1898
- Location: Fork Union, Virginia
- Coed or men only: Men only
- Type: College preparatory
27. Marmion Academy
- Student body: 525
- Founding date: 1933
- Location: Aurora, Illinois
- Coed or men only: Men only
- Type: College preparatory
26. Carver Military Academy
- Student body: 525
- Founding date: 2000
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: College preparatory
25. Riverside Preparatory Academy
- Student body: 530
- Founding date: 1907
- Location: Gainesville, Georgia
- Coed or men only: Men only
- Type: College preparatory
24. Delaware Military Academy
- Student body: 560
- Founding date: 2003
- Location: Wilmington, Delaware
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: College preparatory
23. St. Thomas Academy
- Student body: 695
- Founding date: 1885
- Location: Mendota Heights, Minnesota
- Coed or men only: Men only
- Type: College preparatory
22. Oakland Military Institute
- Student body: 725
- Founding date: 2001
- Location: Oakland, California
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: College preparatory
21. California Military Institute
- Student body: 750
- Founding date: 2003
- Location: Perris, California
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: College preparatory
20. Culver Military Academy
- Student body: 850
- Founding date: 1894
- Location: Culver, Indiana
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: College preparatory
19. California Maritime Academy
- Student body: 850
- Founding date: 1930
- Location: Vallejo, California
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Undergraduate, Postgraduate
18. Maine Maritime Academy
- Student body: 850
- Founding date: 1941
- Location: Castine, Maine
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: College preparatory
17. New Mexico Military Institute
- Student body: 870
- Founding date: 1891
- Location: Roswell, New Mexico
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Junior College, College Preparatory
16. Kenosha Military Academy
- Student body: 900
- Founding date: 1889
- Location: Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: College preparatory
15. Forestville Military Academy
- Student body: 930
- Founding date: 1982
- Location: Forestville, Maryland
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: College preparatory
14. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
- Student body: 1,000
- Founding date: 1943
- Location: Kings Point, New York
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Undergraduate
13. U.S. Coast Guard Academy
- Student body: 1,200
- Founding date: 1876
- Location: New London, Connecticut
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Undergraduate
12. Sarasota Military Academy
- Student body: 1,350
- Founding date: 2002
- Location: Sarasota, Florida
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: College preparatory
11. Virginia Military Institute
- Student body: 1,600
- Founding date: 1839
- Location: Lexington, Virginia
- Coed or men only: Men only
- Type: Undergraduate
10. SUNY Maritime College
- Student body: 1,850
- Founding date: 1874
- Location: Throggs Neck, New York
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Undergraduate, Postgraduate
9. The Citadel
- Student body: 2,300
- Founding date: 1842
- Location: Charleston, South Carolina
- Coed or men only: Men only
- Type: Undergraduate
8. Norwich University
- Student body: 3,450
- Founding date: 1819
- Location: Northfield, Vermont
- Coed or men only: Men only
- Type: Undergraduate
7. U.S. Naval War College
- Student body: 4,000
- Founding date: 1884
- Location: Newport, Rhode Island
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Undergraduate
6. United States Air Force Academy
- Student body: 4,400
- Founding date: 1954
- Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Undergraduate
5. United States Naval Academy
- Student body: 4,500
- Founding date: 1845
- Location: Annapolis, Maryland
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Undergraduate
4. Military Academy at West Point
- Student body: 4,600
- Founding date: 1802
- Location: West Point, New York
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Undergraduate
3. The Military College of Georgia
- Student body: 6,500
- Founding date: 1873
- Location: Dahlonega, Georgia
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Undergraduate, Postgraduate
2. Georgia Military College
- Student body: 8,000
- Founding date: 1900
- Location: Milledgeville, Georgia
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Junior College
1. Texas Maritime Academy
- Student body: 50,000
- Founding date: 1962
- Location: Galveston, Texas
- Coed or boys only: Coed
- Type: Undergraduate
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