Norwich University
Northfield, VT
"I Will Try!"
At a Glance
Founded
1819
Enrollment
2,642
Acceptance
74%
Service
Multiple Services
The Verdict
Norwich University isn't just the oldest private military college in America—it's where ROTC was born. Founded in 1819 by Captain Alden Partridge, a former West Point superintendent, Norwich has produced 138 general officers across all military branches, including Admiral George Dewey, the only person in U.S. history to hold the rank of Admiral of the Navy.
With the highest rate of active duty commissions in the nation, three ROTC programs (Army, Navy, Air Force), and the nation's oldest collegiate marching band, Norwich transforms civilians into commissioned officers while offering the full Division III collegiate experience in Vermont's Green Mountains.
About
Norwich University, founded in 1819, is the oldest private military college in the United States and is recognized as the birthplace of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). It is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont, offering a broad-based education with a focus on leadership development and military training.
Tuition & Costs
2025-2026 RatesIn-State
$64,798
Endowment
$263 million
*Tuition: $48,730, Room: $9,334, Board: $6,734. Total: $64,798. Uniforms extra. 99% receive financial aid, avg grant $34,591.
View official tuition pageAdmissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
selective
Key Requirements
- High school transcript and GPA
- Personal statement/essay
- Letter of recommendation
- Interview (recommended for Corps of Cadets)
- Physical fitness assessment for Corps applicants
Admitted Student Profile
74%
Acceptance Rate
3.39
Avg GPA
1130
Avg SAT
Location
Campus & Facilities
Campus Size
1,125 acres
Housing
Barracks
Enrollment
2,642
Student:Teacher
12:1
Barracks Life
Housing Type
barracks
Daily Schedule
Structured military schedule begins with reveille and morning PT. The day includes academic classes, ROTC training, drill periods, mandatory formations, and evening study hours. First-year cadets ('rooks') undergo intensive Rook Week orientation before classes begin, learning basic military skills, customs, and courtesies. Phone privileges are restricted during training events, with Sunday evening parent calls a tradition for rooks.
Discipline Model
Honor Code-based system governed by the Cadet Handbook. The Corps of Cadets operates as a leadership laboratory with a progressive four-year model: freshmen develop time management and attention to detail, sophomores learn fundamental leadership principles, and juniors/seniors lead under supervision of military professionals. Cadets must complete four semesters of ROTC (Army, Navy, or Air Force) to maintain Corps membership. Company mentors from the Commandant's staff provide guidance and oversight in each barracks.
Academics & Outcomes
College Matriculation
N/A (Norwich is the college)
Where Graduates Go
As the birthplace of ROTC and a Senior Military College, Norwich commissions officers directly rather than feeding service academies. The university maintains the highest rate of active duty commissions in the nation and has received the MacArthur Award and Defense Department ROTC Excellence Award.
Hall of Fame
Admiral George Dewey
Only Admiral of the Navy in U.S. history; commanded Asiatic Squadron at Battle of Manila Bay
General Gordon R. Sullivan
32nd Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army (1991-1995)
Grenville M. Dodge
Civil War Major General; Chief Engineer of Union Pacific Railroad; namesake of Dodge City, Kansas
Gideon Welles
U.S. Secretary of the Navy under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson (1861-1869)
Sergeant Major Thomas Payne
Medal of Honor recipient for ISIS operations in Iraq (2017)
Lieutenant General Edward H. Brooks
Led 2nd Armored Division 'Hell on Wheels' during Normandy invasion
Ernest N. Harmon
Major General; WWII commander of 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions; later Norwich University President
Athletics & Physical Training
Varsity Sports
Mandatory PT
Daily morning physical training (PT) is mandatory for all Corps of Cadets members. Training takes place at Shapiro Field House or outdoor facilities. All cadets participate in varsity athletics, club sports, or intramural activities. The PT program emphasizes military fitness standards alongside NCAA Division III athletic development.
Facilities
The 1,200-acre rural Vermont campus features Kreitzberg Arena (59,000 sq ft hockey facility seating 3,000, host of NCAA Division III championships), Sabine Field at Haynes Family Stadium (1,200-seat synthetic turf stadium with 400m track), Andrews Hall gymnasium complex, Shapiro Field House (200m indoor track, tennis courts, climbing wall), Plumley Armory (4,000-seat arena with elevated running track and Stabile Fitness Center), Goodyear Pool (6-lane, 25-yard pool), and the Shaw Outdoor Center for hiking, skiing, and field training in the Green Mountains.
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
61%
Graduation Rate
69%
Retention Rate
(1st to 2nd year)
$65,575
Median Earnings
(10 years after entry)
$25,600
Avg. Net Cost
(after financial aid)
$34,591
Avg. Grant
(institutional aid)
70% / 30%
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
Related Schools
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, MA
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a public university in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, that focuses on maritime-related fields. Established in 1891, it is the second-oldest state maritime academy in the United States, preparing graduates for careers in the U.S. Merchant Marine and the U.S. Armed Forces.
New York Military Academy
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
New York Military Academy is a private, college-preparatory boarding school that provides a structured military environment. The academy focuses on developing a cadet's mind, body, and character to build a foundation for continued education and leadership.
SUNY Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY
The oldest maritime academy in the US, combining engineering/business degrees with regimented training.
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY
The United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is a federal service academy that educates and graduates licensed Merchant Marine Officers who serve America's marine transportation and defense needs in peace and war. Midshipmen are trained in marine engineering, navigation, ship's administration, maritime law, personnel management, international law, and customs.
United States Military Academy
West Point, NY
The United States Military Academy (USMA), commonly known as West Point, is a United States service academy in West Point, New York, that educates cadets for service as commissioned officers in the United States Army.
Christian Brothers Academy
Albany, NY
Christian Brothers Academy is a Catholic, Lasallian college preparatory school for young men in grades 6-12 located in Albany, New York. The school features a robust Army JROTC program and combines rigorous academics with military discipline and Catholic values.
Guides & Resources
America's Oldest Military Schools
A look at the most historic military academies in the United States, from Norwich University (1819) to the legendary institutions that shaped American military education.
The PG Year Secret: The Post-Graduate Advantage
Many 'seniors' at top military schools are actually 19-year-old graduates doing a 13th year. Learn why a post-graduate year might be the smartest investment for your student.
Military School Costs & Financial Aid
A comprehensive guide to understanding military school tuition, scholarships, 529 plans, and state voucher programs for families.
Dual Enrollment and Earning College Credit at Military School
Can military school students earn college credit before graduation? Explore AP courses, dual enrollment, and early college options at military academies.
NCAA Eligibility and Athletic Recruiting at Military Schools
How does military school affect college athletic recruiting? Understand NCAA eligibility, recruiting calendars, and how the military environment impacts student-athletes.
The Parent's Emotional Journey: From Drop-Off to Thanksgiving
A roadmap for parents navigating the first semester. From the terrifying silence to the 'come get me' call to the transformed person who comes home—what to expect and how to cope.