University/Service Academy

The service academies are four-year institutions that provide higher education and training to prepare students for careers as commissioned officers in the United States military. The service academies are:

• United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point: The USMA is located in West Point, New York and is the oldest service academy in the United States. It provides education and training to prepare students for careers as commissioned officers in the United States Army.
• United States Naval Academy (USNA) at Annapolis: The USNA is located in Annapolis, Maryland and provides education and training to prepare students for careers as commissioned officers in the United States Navy and Marine Corps.
• United States Air Force Academy (USAFA): The USAFA is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado and provides education and training to prepare students for careers as commissioned officers in the United States Air Force.
• United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA): The USCGA is located in New London, Connecticut and provides education and training to prepare students for careers as commissioned officers in the United States Coast Guard.

Admission to the service academies is highly competitive, and students are selected based on a variety of criteria, including academic achievements, physical fitness, and leadership potential. Students at the service academies receive a full scholarship, which covers the cost of tuition, room and board, and other expenses. In return, students must commit to serving in the military for a certain number of years after graduation.