Founded in 1845, the U.S. Naval Academy is a federally supported four-year service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland. It prepares midshipmen for commissioning as officers in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps through a curriculum that emphasizes moral, mental, and physical development. The Brigade of Midshipmen comprises over 4,400 students from all U.S. states and several international partner nations. Instruction is delivered by both military and civilian faculty, with academic offerings spanning 25 majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. Core subjects include leadership, ethics, seamanship, navigation, naval engineering, tactics, weapons systems, and military law. Midshipmen participate in a range of intercollegiate varsity sports—33 in total, including 18 men’s teams, 12 women’s teams, and three co-ed programs. Extracurricular activities include engineering societies, military professional associations, athletics, music, arts, and other interest-based groups. The Naval Academy campus, known as the Yard, occupies 338 acres between the Severn River and downtown Annapolis. Architectural features include French Renaissance and contemporary buildings, with notable landmarks such as Bancroft Hall and the Naval Academy Chapel. The campus offers views of the Chesapeake Bay and is located approximately 33 miles east of Washington D.C. and 30 miles south of Baltimore. The Academy has been recognized in national rankings for its undergraduate engineering and liberal arts programs. Graduates serve a minimum of five years in active duty following commissioning.
