Missouri Military Academy
Mexico, MO
"Love, Honor, Truth"
The Verdict
Missouri Military Academy has organized itself around the "Whole Man" education since 1889 — academics, military structure, athletics, and character developed together. With a 360-acre campus that feels like a small university and a corps of cadets from 20+ countries, MMA offers a global perspective in the heart of America.
The Class of 2025 earned $15 million in college scholarships—averaging nearly $300,000 per graduate. From the nationally ranked Fusileers Drill Team to one of the few remaining military equestrian programs, MMA is built for the boy who needs to be challenged, not just managed.
Campus & Cadet Life
About
Missouri Military Academy is an all-boys boarding and day school in Mexico, MO — grades 7-12 plus post-graduate, founded 1889. Boarding tuition $41,615 (2026-27).
Tuition & Costs
2026-2027 RatesBoarding
$41,615
Day Student
$8,000
International
$46,839
*Includes room and board, labs, textbooks, haircuts, and laundry. Uniforms are ~$3,374 for new cadets. Average aid award is ~$18,000.
View official tuition pageAdmissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
selective
Key Requirements
- Completed application and application fee
- Official transcripts from current and previous schools
- Standardized test scores (if available)
- Teacher recommendations
- Personal interview (in-person or virtual)
- Medical and immunization records
- Character references
Location
Campus & Facilities
Campus Size
360 acres
Housing
Barracks
Enrollment
182
Student:Teacher
6:1
Barracks Life
Housing Type
barracks
Daily Schedule
Highly structured day begins with reveille and morning formation, followed by academic blocks, drill periods, athletics, evening mess, supervised study hall (Call to Quarters), and Taps. Weekends include inspections, parades, and supervised free time with off-campus privileges for cadets in good standing.
Discipline Model
Traditional military merit/demerit system with cadet chain of command. Cadets earn rank based on leadership, academics, and conduct. Senior cadets serve as Battalion, Company, and Platoon leaders, enforcing standards under oversight from the Commandant's staff. The 'Whole Man' development philosophy emphasizes character, leadership, and personal responsibility.
Academics & Outcomes
College Matriculation
100%
Scholarships Earned
$15 million (Class of 2025)
Where Graduates Go
Regular appointments to West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy, and Coast Guard Academy. Strong pipelines to University of Missouri (Mizzou), Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, Norwich University, VMI, and The Citadel.
Hall of Fame
Gen. Clifton B. Cates
19th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps (1948-1952); decorated WWI and WWII combat leader; Navy Cross recipient
Dale Dye
Marine Corps Captain (Ret.); actor and Hollywood's premier military technical advisor for 'Saving Private Ryan,' 'Platoon,' and 'Band of Brothers'
Cody Fowler
President of the American Bar Association (1950-1951); prominent civil rights attorney; Tampa civic leader
Athletics & Physical Training
Varsity Sports
Mandatory PT
All cadets participate in daily physical training and athletics. The nationally ranked Fusileers Drill Team represents MMA in competitions across the country. The program emphasizes fitness, teamwork, and competitive spirit, with intramural sports ensuring every cadet is active regardless of varsity participation.
Facilities
360-acre campus in Mexico, Missouri features multiple athletic fields, gymnasium, indoor swimming pool, weight room, wrestling room, tennis courts, parade ground, and outdoor training areas. Unique among military schools, MMA maintains an equestrian program with stables and horses—one of the few remaining in military education. The historic campus blends traditional barracks with modern academic facilities.
External Ratings
We don't collect or moderate reviews. Links point to trusted third-party sources.
Official Federal Data Sources
Verify information directly from U.S. Department of Education databases:
Photo Gallery
Related Schools
Air Force Academy High School
Chicago, IL
Air Force Academy High School is a tuition-free CPS college-prep school (grades 9-12) — the nation's only public Air Force academy high school, with a flight simulator lab.
Arkansas Military and First Responders Academy
Little Rock, AR
Tuition-free public charter high school in Little Rock serving grades 9-11 with Marine Corps JROTC, STEM academics, and first responder career pathways. Founded 2023. As of the 2026-27 school year its charter transferred to Exalt Charter Schools; contact Exalt Academy of Southwest Little Rock to confirm the program.
Carver Military Academy
Chicago, IL
Carver Military Academy is a tuition-free Army JROTC high school (grades 9-12) in Chicago — the first U.S. public high school converted to a military academy (2000).
Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville
Chicago, IL
Chicago Military Academy at Bronzeville is a tuition-free CPS Army JROTC magnet school (grades 9-12) with dual-enrollment college credit and industry certifications.
Marine Leadership Academy
Chicago, IL
Marine Leadership Academy is Chicago's only Marine Corps JROTC public school — a tuition-free CPS academy serving grades 7-12 in the Hermosa neighborhood.
Phoenix STEM Military Academy
Chicago, IL
Phoenix STEM Military Academy is a tuition-free CPS high school (grades 9-12) in East Garfield Park pairing Army JROTC leadership with a college-prep STEM curriculum.
Guides & Resources
Missouri Military Academy: Tuition, Daily Life & Fit
Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, MO is the state's only military boarding school — all-boys, founded 1889, boarding ~$40,000. Daily life, funding, and fit.
How Much Does Military School Cost? Tuition & Financial Aid
Military school costs range from free (public academies and Youth Challenge) to $25,000-$67,000 a year for private boarding. Compare tuition, 529 plans, and state vouchers.
How to Evaluate a Military School Like an Insider
How to evaluate a military school before you enroll: read the Cadet Handbook, eat in the mess hall, and watch for 6 red flags that reveal the real culture.
What Is a Military School?
A military school is a college-prep school that uses military structure — uniforms, rank, and drill — not a boot camp. The 4 types explained, including free options.
IEPs and 504 Plans at Military Schools
Many military schools honor accommodations like extended test time, but private schools aren't required to follow IEPs. 7 questions to ask admissions first.
Oak Ridge Military Academy & North Carolina JROTC Guide
Oak Ridge Military Academy—coed, grades 7-12, founded 1852—anchors North Carolina's military school options, plus JROTC and the free Tarheel Challenge Academy.