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Summary
United States Military Academy is a public institution that was founded in 1802. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,624, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 16,080 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. United States Military Academy's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 18. Its in-state tuition and fees are $0 (2012-13); out-of-state tuition and fees are $0 (2012-13).
The United States Military Academy is located in West Point, N.Y., approximately 50 miles north of New York City on the Hudson River. The school, also known as USMA, West Point, and Army, is the oldest of the country’s five federal service academies. Students, referred to as cadets, are officers in training, and their tuitions are funded by the U.S. Army in return for an active-service duty obligation. Army offers a wide range of extracurricular clubs, from the glee and gospel clubs to the ski and sailing clubs. The Army Black Knights participate in 25 intercollegiate varsity sports at the NCAA Division I level and are known for their rivalry with the Naval Academy, particularly in football. Every cadet is required to participate in an intercollegiate, club, or intramural level sport each semester. Cadets live in barracks on campus all four years and receive a monthly stipend.
Army graduates earn a Bachelor of Science degree and are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Applicants must apply directly to the academy and receive a nomination from a congressional representative. A tradition on campus is the Ring Weekend, during which all seniors receive their class rings. Alumni and students are often referred to as "The Long Gray Line," and famous members include former U.S. presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ulysses S. Grant; former U.S. Army General Douglas MacArthur; Robert E. Lee, commanding general of the Confederate Army; U.S. Army General David Petraeus; and AOL co-founder Jim Kimsey.
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Since its founding over two centuries ago, the Military Academy has accomplished its mission by developing cadets in four critical areas: intellectual, physical, military, and moral-ethical - a 47 month process called the "West Point Experience." The academic curriculum has 42 Majors and Fields of Study that strengthen cadets' historical perspective, cultivate their cultural understanding, structure their military training and leader development. The curriculum draws upon three distinct programs academic, military, and physical. The strengths of the Academic Program at West Point are small class sizes, a dedicated and highly engaged faculty, and innovative educational practices. Military development is a key component of the curriculum. Cadets are immersed from day one in a military environment where they are organized in companies, serve and are evaluated in leadership positions within the Corps of Cadets. The heart of the military training takes place during the summer, with new cadets undergoing Cadet Basic Training - or Beast Barracks - the first year, followed by Cadet Field Training at nearby Camp Buckner the second year. Cadets spend their third and fourth summers participating in Individual Advanced Development (IAD) opportunities serving in active Army units around the world; attending advanced training courses such as airborne, air assault or northern warfare; or training the first and second year cadets as members of the leadership cadre. Also, very popular among cadets are academic IADs, similar to internships students at civilian colleges might participate in. Some academic IADs include duty with the Supreme Court, Crossroads to Africa, NASA, and the National laboratories. The physical education curriculum spans the four years, with cadets required to take core courses in military movement techniques, boxing, combatives, survival swimming, and personal/unit physical fitness. West Point cadets also receive graded assessments on two physical fitness tests, both of which also contribute to a cadet's class standing. Every cadet at the Academy participates in competitive sports throughout the academic year; some compete at the varsity level of intercollegiate athletics while others are challenged at the intercollegiate club level or in West Point's company athletics program. West Point has 25 NCAA Division I intercollegiate teams. The competitive club athletics program at West Point is recognized as one of the premier club programs in the Nation. The cadet company athletics program has a Fall and a Spring Season with six sports offered each season. In addition to sports, there are numerous other activities for cadets to enjoy. For instance, there are over 100 recreational clubs available to cadets and many social activities. There is an on-post movie theater, frequent dances, a golf course, a ski slope, a bowling alley, access to the Hudson River, and tailgates. Along with developing academically, physically, and militarily, our graduates develop in other ways as part of their preparation to lead this nation's soldiers. Ethical, spiritual, and social development occurs formally and informally throughout the 47 month experience. These include formal instruction in the important values of the military profession, voluntary religious programs, interaction with staff and faculty role models, and a vigorous guest speaker program. Cadets also develop ethically by adhering to the Cadet Honor Code, which states, "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." The final accomplishment is not only graduation, but a commission into the United States Army as a 2nd lieutenant, fully ready to serve the Nation for five years on active duty followed by three years in the U.S. Army Reserves. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1802 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | suburban |
| 2011 Endowment | $0 |
Applying
When applying to United States Military Academy, it's important to note the application deadline is February 28. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due March 1. It is more selective, with an acceptance rate of 10.6 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | more selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 10.6% |
| Application deadline | February 28 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | March 1 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at United States Military Academy is 8:1, and the school has 93.8 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at United States Military Academy include: Engineering; Social Sciences; Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; and Engineering Technologies and Engineering-Related Fields. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 92.8 percent.
Student Life
United States Military Academy has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,624, with a gender distribution of 84.4 percent male students and 15.6 percent female students. United States Military Academy is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 4,624 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
United States Military Academy offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring and health service. United States Military Academy also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at United States Military Academy, 20 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at United States Military Academy.
| Students who have cars on campus | 20% |
| Health insurance offered | No |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | Yes |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $0 (2012-13) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $0 (2012-13) |
| Room and board | N/A |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data
