Naval Postgraduate School
Monterey, CA
"Praestantia Per Scientiam"
At a Glance
Service
Multiple Services
Founded
1909
Enrollment
2,479
Acceptance
48.2%
The Verdict
The Naval Postgraduate School isn't just another graduate institution—it's where the Department of Defense develops its most advanced strategic thinkers. As the only Navy-operated graduate university, NPS has educated over 50,000 military officers and defense civilians since 1909, producing CNOs, astronauts, and cyber commanders.
With more than 70 graduate programs focused exclusively on defense-relevant research, NPS turns warfighters into scholars who directly shape national security policy and technology.
About
The Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey is the Navy's graduate university, offering defense-focused master's and doctoral degrees to military officers and DoD civilians.
Tuition & Costs
International
$27,000
Endowment
$5.08 million (2016)
*Mission-funded seats are available to eligible active duty USN and USMC members at no cost. The resident tuition rate for FY25/26 is $6,750 per quarter.
Admissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
highly selective
Key Requirements
- Active duty military officer or DoD civilian employee
- Accredited baccalaureate degree with minimum 2.2 GPA
- Service-specific approval and nomination
- Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions
- GRE scores required for Ph.D. programs
- Security clearance eligibility
Location
Campus & Facilities
Campus Size
627 acres
Housing
N/A
Enrollment
2,479
Student:Teacher
6:1
Campus Life
Daily Schedule
Students muster daily via the Student Check-In Page and wear the Uniform of the Day. Academic schedules follow a quarter system with intensive graduate-level coursework. Students balance rigorous academics with military duties and twice-yearly Physical Readiness Tests. Student Services operates Monday-Thursday 0800-1600 and Friday 0800-1400 in Herrmann Hall.
Discipline Model
As a graduate-level institution for commissioned officers and DoD civilians, NPS operates under standard military regulations rather than a cadet discipline system. Students maintain their military bearing while focused on academic excellence. The environment emphasizes professional graduate education with students expected to uphold officer standards of conduct.
Academics & Outcomes
College Matriculation
N/A (Graduate institution)
Where Graduates Go
N/A (Graduate institution that educates service academy graduates)
Hall of Fame
ADM William McRaven
Former Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, architect of Operation Neptune Spear (Bin Laden raid), Chancellor of UT System
GEN Keith Alexander
First Commander of U.S. Cyber Command, Director of NSA, dual-degree NPS graduate (physics and systems technology)
ADM James Watkins
22nd Chief of Naval Operations, NPS MS in Mechanical Engineering 1958
Sen. Mark Kelly
U.S. Senator from Arizona, retired astronaut and Navy captain, Space Shuttle pilot
Jasmin Moghbeli
NASA astronaut, Marine Corps test pilot, SpaceX Crew-7 mission commander, ISS flight engineer
ADM Michael Mullen
17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 28th Chief of Naval Operations
Robert Curbeam Jr.
NASA astronaut, Navy captain, holds record for most spacewalks during a single spaceflight
Athletics & Physical Training
Varsity Sports
Mandatory PT
All Navy personnel must complete the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) twice yearly, including 1.5-mile run, forearm planks, and cadence push-ups, plus meet height and weight standards. NPS Command Fitness Leaders oversee PRT preparation, and the Fitness Enhancement Program supports those needing additional conditioning.
Facilities
627-acre coastal campus in Monterey features the Monterey Bay Athletic Club (24-hour access), 7,000 sq ft NOFFS (Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Series) training facility, equipped with cardio machines, strength equipment, dumbbells up to 120 lbs, and free group fitness classes including yoga and spin. Pool access available at Monterey Sports Center Complex.
Official Federal Data Sources
Verify information directly from U.S. Department of Education databases:
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