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, America's oldest private military college and birthplace of ROTC. Founded 1819 in Northfield, Vermont; tuition $48,730 (2026-27), 74% acceptance rate.
Tuition & Costs
2026-2027 RatesIn-State
$64,700
Endowment
$263 million
*Tuition $48,730, room $9,334, board $6,734 — total $64,798 (2026-27). Uniforms extra. 99% of students receive financial aid; average 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
Public maritime college in Buzzards Bay, founded 1891. The Regiment of Cadets is mandatory for all undergraduates. About $27,800 all-in for in-state students (2026-27).
New York Military Academy
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
New York Military Academy in Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY, is a coed college-prep boarding and day school for grades 9-12. Founded 1889; boarding tuition $54,000 (2025-26).
SUNY Maritime College
Throggs Neck, NY
SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx is the oldest maritime academy in the U.S. (founded 1874), pairing engineering and maritime degrees with the Regiment of Cadets.
United States Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, NY
The United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point, NY) is a tuition-free federal service academy graduating licensed officers for the Merchant Marine and military.
United States Military Academy
West Point, NY
The United States Military Academy at West Point educates and commissions officers for the U.S. Army. Founded 1802; tuition-free with a five-year service obligation.
Christian Brothers Academy
Albany, NY
Christian Brothers Academy in Albany, NY, is a Catholic, Lasallian all-boys day school for grades 5-12 with Army JROTC. Founded 1859; tuition $18,500 (2026-27).
Guides & Resources
America's Oldest Military Schools & Academies
West Point (1802) is America's oldest military academy — see every historic U.S. military school by founding date, from Norwich (1819) to The Citadel (1842).
Post-Graduate (PG) Year at Military Prep Schools
A post-graduate (PG) year is an extra prep school year after high school graduation. See the 8 military schools with PG programs, who benefits, and what it costs.
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.
Alabama's CHOOSE Act ESA: $7,000 Toward Military School
Alabama's CHOOSE Act ESA provides $7,000 per student toward private school tuition, including military school. Eligibility, deadlines, and how to apply.
Pennsylvania EITC & OSTC: Tax Credits for Military School
Pennsylvania's EITC and OSTC let businesses fund military school scholarships for a 75-90% state tax credit — what families and business owners should know.
How to Prepare for Military School: The New Cadet's Guide
How to prepare for military school: an 8-week running plan, strength benchmarks, shoe-shine skills, and how to find your group fast—written for cadets, not parents.