New Mexico Military Institute
Roswell, NM
"Duty, Honor, Achievement"
At a Glance
Founded
1891
Enrollment
1,000
Acceptance
58%
Service
Multiple Services
The Verdict
Known as "The West Point of the West," NMMI is the only state-supported, co-ed military boarding school in the nation offering both high school (9-12) and a fully accredited two-year junior college. Home to the nation's largest Army ROTC 2-Year Commissioning Program and the nation's largest Service Academy Prep Program, NMMI regularly sends 30+ graduates annually to West Point, Annapolis, Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy.
With total cost of attendance around $19,000-$26,000 per year (vs. $40,000-$60,000 at private schools), NMMI delivers elite military education at a fraction of the cost.
Campus & Cadet Life
About
To educate, train, and prepare young men and women to be leaders capable of critical thinking and sound analysis, leaders who possess uncompromising character, and leaders able to meet challenging physical demands.
Tuition & Costs
2025-2026 RatesBoarding
$16,372
International
$34,000
Endowment
$45 million
*Total cost includes tuition, room, board, laptop, uniforms, and fees; value of cadet experience ~$42,858 with scholarships available
View official tuition pageAdmissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
open
Key Requirements
- Completed application
- Official high school or college transcripts
- ACT or SAT scores (for college placement)
- Medical and immunization records
- Physical fitness assessment
- Background check
Location
Campus & Facilities
Campus Size
300 acres
Housing
Barracks
Enrollment
1,000
Student:Teacher
14:1
Barracks Life
Housing Type
barracks
Daily Schedule
Reveille at 0600, followed by morning formation, breakfast, academic blocks (0800-1200), lunch formation, afternoon academics or labs (1300-1500), athletics and military training (1530-1800), dinner, Call to Quarters (study hall), and Taps at 2300. Weekends include inspections, parades, and supervised liberty for cadets in good standing.
Discipline Model
Traditional military merit/demerit system based on the Cadet Regulations (Blue Book). The Corps of Cadets is organized into a regimental structure with cadet officers and NCOs responsible for discipline and training. Cadets who accumulate excessive demerits serve punishment tours. The system emphasizes leadership development through the cadet chain of command.
Academics & Outcomes
College Matriculation
95%+
Scholarships Earned
$8+ million annually
Where Graduates Go
One of the nation's top feeders to U.S. service academies; regularly sends 30-40 graduates per year to West Point, Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, and Merchant Marine Academy. NMMI's Early Commissioning Program allows qualified cadets to earn a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Army National Guard upon completion of the two-year program.
Hall of Fame
Conrad Hilton
Founder of Hilton Hotels, one of the world's largest hospitality companies
Sam Donaldson
Emmy Award-winning ABC News correspondent and anchor of 'This Week'
Owen Wilson
Academy Award-nominated actor and screenwriter (Wedding Crashers, Midnight in Paris)
Roger Staubach
Attended NMMI before Naval Academy; Heisman Trophy winner, Super Bowl MVP, Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback (Dallas Cowboys)
Athletics & Physical Training
Varsity Sports
Mandatory PT
All cadets participate in daily physical training and intramural or varsity athletics. The NMMI Broncos compete as an NJCAA member institution at the junior college level, with many athletes transferring to NCAA Division I programs. High school cadets participate in New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) sports.
Facilities
300-acre campus features Cahoon Armory (6,000-seat arena), a competition swimming pool, Olympic-caliber equestrian facilities supporting the renowned rodeo program, weight training center, multiple athletic fields, tennis courts, and an 18-hole golf course. The historic Pearson Auditorium and Wilson Stadium anchor the campus.
External Ratings
We don't collect or moderate reviews. Links point to trusted third-party sources.
Federal Outcomes Data
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
38%
Graduation Rate
58%
Retention Rate
(1st to 2nd year)
$57,410
Median Earnings
(10 years after entry)
$4,686
Avg. Net Cost
(after financial aid)
$10,781
Avg. Grant
(institutional aid)
78% / 22%
Male / Female
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (2026-01)
View on College ScorecardOfficial Federal Data Sources
Verify information directly from U.S. Department of Education databases:
NCES consumer portal with costs, programs, and retention data
Comprehensive institutional data from the IPEDS survey
Department of Education outcomes and cost data
Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
Photo Gallery
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