The best military schools in Texas provide exceptional learning opportunities combined with an introduction to military training.
There are several benefits to attending military prep school, as students are better prepared for success regardless if they elect to join the U.S. Armed Forces after graduation.
What are the top military schools in Texas?
Learn more about the best military schools in The Lone Star State based on academics, prestige, enrollment, student/teacher ratio, and history.
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#1 – Texas Military Institute
- Location: 20955 W Tejas Trail, San Antonio, TX 78257
- Founded: 1893
- Grades: 6-12
- # of Students: 475
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 9:1
- Official Website: https://www.tmi-sa.org/
Texas Military Institute is among the best military schools in Texas.
The private school is located in San Antonio, Texas, and often referred to by the abbreviation TMI (or TMI Episcopal).
Texas Military Institute offers full-time boarding for students in the grades 6-12.
It is a selective institution that accepts less than 500 students.
For this reason, classroom sizes remain small as students get more personal interaction with faculty compared to public education.
TMI Episcopal was founded before the 20th century and is the oldest Episcopal college preparatory school in the American Southwest.
The military boarding school originally only accepted male students yet has since expanded to include female cadets.
The “West Point on the Rio Grande” has a terrific academic reputation and has been considered one of the finest prep schools in the nation for decades.
There are multiple U.S. Presidents that have spent time at TMI, including John F. Kennedy who visited the day before he was assassinated.
The Corps of Cadets (JROTC) is optional for male and female cadets at Texas Military Institute.
The JROTC program is affiliated with the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and approximately 1/3 of students participate in the Corps of Cadets.
Texas Military Institute is unique in that the institution may provide direct placement to the U.S. federal service academies without a congressional recommendation.
Average Tuition / Boarding
Texas Military Institute has an impressive 100% placement rate in terms of students finding a college after graduation.
According to the official TMI webpage on tuition and fees, tuition is slightly more affordable at TMI Episcopal for day school middle school students ($24,190 per year) compared to high school students ($26,590 per year).
Moreover, TMI has different tuition rates for Boarding and International students.
For example, High School students that attend 5 days per week with boarding pay $48,100 per year.
Alternatively, high school students that attend 7 day boarding school, as well as international students, pay $52,750.
The cost of tuition includes funds that cover boarding expenses such as housing and meals.
The current location for the TMI campus is rich in modern architecture as most of the buildings are constructed almost entirely in limestone.
TMI Episcopal has operated on 3 different campuses, including the most recent one northwest of San Antonio.
The campus features several famous traditions like Chapel Talks, Daunt Lectures, Founder’s Day, and the Military Ball.
Texas Military Institute has an extensive alumni network including many notable names.
Students generally are from Texas and nearby states though TMI also accepts international students from Australia, China, Hong Kong, Colombia, Russia, and South Korea.
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#2 – San Marcos Academy
- Location: 2801 Ranch Rd 12, San Marcos, TX 78666
- Founded: 1907
- Grades: 6-12
- # of Students: 265
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 8:1
- Official Website: https://www.smabears.org/
San Marcos Academy (SMA) is a coed college prep school that is sandwiched nearly halfway between Austin and San Antonio.
The private, Christian military school was previously known as the San Marcos Baptist Academy.
The institution is affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas and students earn accreditation through the Southern Associate of Colleges and Schools.
San Marcos Academy has a long tradition as the military school dates back to 1907.
It is one of the oldest military schools in Texas along with TMI Episcopal.
The academy accepts students that commute to campus for the grades K-12.
Meanwhile, students between the grades of 6-12 have the option of living and eating on campus.
The majority of cadets reside on campus (approximately 75%) with a total enrollment that is less than 300 students.
San Marcos Academy is governed by a 15-member board of trustees.
Students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of campus events and activities, as well as the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps.
Cadets are not required to serve on the Army JROTC program though the majority decide to take advantage of this phenomenal opportunity.
Average Tuition / Boarding
San Marcos Academy (SMA) is one of the oldest boarding schools in the state.
Additionally, San Marcos Academy is regularly considered one of the top military schools in Texas.
Unfortunately, the prestige of attending SMA does come with expensive tuition as the average student spends $31,000 per year to attend full-time.
Younger students (K-6) are not allowed to live on campus and others choose to commute to save money.
Tuition is reasonable for day students grades 7-8 ($7,565) and grades 9-12 ($8,000).
Regardless, the Christian military school has a terrific success rate at helping students progress to the college of their dreams.
San Marcos Academy accepts both domestic and international students (foreign students receive a small tuition discount).
Cadets that live on campus reside in dormitories and are required to attend religious services throughout the week.
However, you do not need to consider yourself a Christian as SMA accepts students from a variety of religious beliefs.
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#3 – Texas Maritime Academy
- Location: 3031 Seawolf Park Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554
- Founded: 1962
- Grades: 7-12
- # of Students: 580
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 14:1
- Official Website: https://www.tamug.edu/corps/
Texas Maritime Academy is associated with Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG).
Texas A&M University – College Station has one of the strongest and most recognizable ROTC programs in the country.
Furthermore, students have the option of pursuing a career in maritime by enrolling at the academy.
“Sea Aggies” attend school at Pelican Island, a couple hours south of College Station along the Gulf of Mexico.
The academics at Texas Maritime Academy are available to college prep students (7-12) in addition to undergraduate studies.
The academic programs at Pelican Island are distinctively ocean-focused with specialties in marine biology, engineering, and transportation.
Texas A&M Maritime Academy is one of only 7 maritime academies in the United States.
Moreover, it is the only maritime school in Texas with direct access to the Gulf of Mexico.
Cadets have the opportunity of joining the only Navy-option NROTC unit through the Texas A&M University system.
Meanwhile, cadets of the Marine Corps NROTC unit receive their training on the main campus in College Station, Texas.
Regardless, all students in the Texas A&M Maritime Academy are required to join some form of ROTC.
There are many advantages to considering the Texas Maritime Academy as cadets get to study and train aboard several different ocean-going vessels.
Students learn valuable navigation and seamanship skills while also focusing on engineering operations.
Average Tuition / Boarding
Students of Texas A&M University at Galveston (TAMUG) are affectionately known as “Sea Aggies”.
Sea Aggies attend classroom learning while also receiving military training aboard vessels.
The TMA Corps of Midshipmen combines tradition and customs from the U.S. Navy along with the heritage of the well known TAMU Corps of Cadets.
Thus, cadets must participate in morning formation, room inspections, mandatory study sessions, and other rules of the military school in Texas.
Students at the Texas Maritime Academy have the option of selecting from the following programs:
- Merchant Marine Licensing Program
- Strategic Sealift Officer Program
- Navy Reserve Officer Training Program
- Drill and Ceremonies Program
Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard MARGRAD program is available to cadets that graduate from Texas A&M University with an operating license.
It enables graduates to receive a 3-year commission as a United States Coast Guard officer and serve the country where it has specific needs.
The Texas Maritime Academy offers affordable tuition for undergraduate studies.
Tuition is $6,600 for in-state students and nearly double for out-of-state students ($13,000).
Room and board is not included in tuition rates yet is available for students that would like to reside on Pelican Island.
However, tuition does cover hands-on training including sailing aboard Texas Maritime Academy ships.
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#4 – Marine Military Academy
- Location: 320 Iwo Jima Blvd, Harlingen, TX 78550
- Founded: 1965
- Grades: 7-12
- # of Students: 220
- Student / Teacher Ratio: 8:1
- Official Website: https://www.mma-tx.org/
The Marine Military Academy is a private school in Harlingen, Texas.
It is regularly considered one of the premier military schools in Texas.
The college prep academy features a challenging curriculum for boys and girls between the grades 7-12.
Additionally, students have the option of pursuing a year of post-graduate study before joining the military or advancing to a 4-year institution.
The Marine Military Academy does not have quite as long of a tradition as some of the other top military schools in Texas yet has remain in operation for more than a half-century.
As a result, you can expect to receive an outstanding education while also receiving an introduction to the United States Marine Corps (USMC).
While Marine Military Academy is not officially associated with the USMC, it does follow many of the same ideals and traditions.
Furthermore, the Marine Military Academy JROTC program is affiliated with the U.S. Marine Corps.
The academy is one of the first in the nation to establish a Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (MCJROTC).
All students at the school are members of MCJROTC as participation is not voluntary.
Marine Military Academy offers general high school classes along with honors courses.
Additionally, students may consider Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment courses.
Most classes at the Marine Military Academy last a year and are extremely challenging.
Cadets are also required to participate in at least one extracurricular activity.
Average Tuition / Boarding
The Marine Military Academy exists at the former Harlingen Army Airfield.
The airfield was established in 1941 during World War II and has historical value even if most of the original buildings have been replaced.
It is one of the most expensive military schools in Texas to attend based on tuition.
Reports indicate that the average tuition for students attending the Marine Military Academy is $37,750.
Furthermore, the institution currently only accepts male applicants.
Students that are fortunate enough to attend Marine Military Academy are part of a small enrollment of less than 250 cadets.
Marine Military Academy has an incredible reputation for sending graduates to college (98% placement rate).
Students live on campus like most military boarding schools and are expected to participate in a variety of events.
Those that struggle with under-performing grades have additional requirements and expectations.
Moreover, a summer camp for boys between the ages of 13-17 offers new challenges for students.
Cadets come from a variety of backgrounds, including a significant amount of international students from Mexico and China.
See also:
41 Questions To Ask A Military Recruiter
Born and raised in Woodbridge, NJ, he graduated from the New Jersey Institute Of Technology with an MBA in eCommerce.His hobbies include beach volleyball, target shooting, and lifting.
Rob is also a Commercially rated pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), with over 1,500 hours of flight time.
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