In addition to their highly rigorous admissions processes, they enjoy an esteemed reputation for educating and preparing top-ranking members of the US military and intelligence communities for service.
But to gain acceptance, you have to jump through a few more hurdles than you would at traditional colleges.
For instance applicants cannot be married, pregnant, or have any children for whom they have legal responsibility.
The admissions process also starts much sooner than at traditional schools. Beginning in candidates' junior year of high school, they start to fill out questionnaires and begin applying for official nominations. These nominations come from members of Congress, US senators, and the vice president, as well as other military personnel.
Applicants also undergo a medical assessment that examines both their physical and mental health, and are required to take fitness tests. Most schools require the Candidate Fitness Assessment (CFA), a six-event exam aimed at judging the applicants' physical fitness level.
Read on to learn more about the five US service academies.
US Military Academy — West Point, New York
Cadets at the US Military Academy, also referred to as West Point or Army, can major in a broad array of programs including the engineering, business, literature, and the social sciences.
• Tuition fully paid in return for an active-duty service obligation; receive monthly pay as a predetermined percentage of that of a commissioned officer
• 4,348 students
• 10% acceptance rate
• Notable alums: Former US presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Dwight D. Eisenhower, and retired generals David Petraeus and Stanley A. McChrystal
US Naval Academy — Annapolis, Maryland
The most popular majors for midshipmen at Navy include economics, systems engineering, and political science and government.
• Tuition fully paid in return for an active-duty service obligation; receive monthly pay as a predetermined percentage of that of a commissioned officer
• 4,525 students
• 9% acceptance rate
• Notable alums: Former President Jimmy Carter, Arizona Senator John McCain, and businessman and former politician Ross Perot
US Air Force Academy —Colorado Springs, Colorado
Cadets at Air Force take an array of courses with a strong focus on engineering, sciences, and military studies.
• Tuition fully paid in return for an active-duty service obligation; receive monthly pay as a predetermined percentage of that of a commissioned officer
• 4,111 students
• 17% acceptance rate
• Notable alums: NBA head coach Gregg Popovich, Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who famously, and safely, landed a US Airways plane in the Hudson River
US Merchant Marine Academy — Kings Point, New York
Midshipmen choose their major from one of five programs of study: marine transportation, logistics and intermodal transportation, marine engineering, marine engineering systems, and marine engineering and shipyard management.
• Midshipmen have an service obligation upon graduation, in return for tuition, room, and board paid by the school.
• They do not receive a monthly salary or stipend as students at the other service academies do, though they do receive a stipend during their term at sea. They are on the hook to cover these costs of attendance, which the school estimates to be about $10,000.
• 904 students
• 15% acceptance rate
US Coast Guard Academy — New London, Connecticut
Cadets at the Coast Guard Academy have an engineering-focused college experience. Unlike the other service academies, admission is merit-based only, and therefore there is no requirement to have a congressional nomination.
• Tuition fully paid in return for an active-duty service obligation; receive monthly pay as a predetermined percentage of that of a commissioned officer
• 898 students
• 18% acceptance rate
