Best service academy to study engineering?

InYourHead

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I imagine that all 3 academies would have stellar engineering programs, but I'm wondering if one is typically thought of as the "best."

I am curious about Aerospace Engineering, but also just engineering in general.

Thanks!
 
I believe USMA has the most renowned Engineering program in the country. My source being my older brother who is a Point grad, and completed the Civil Engineering program there with honors.
 
I believe USMA has the most renowned Engineering program in the country. My source being my older brother who is a Point grad, and completed the Civil Engineering program there with honors.

No way. Absolutely no. :thumbdown:

Especially Aero.
 
USMA was founded primarily to provide a place for Army officers to learn engineering skills.
 
In recent years USNA and USAFA aero engineering programs were ranked in the top five of their ilk in the US - usually virtually in a dead heat. USMATx basically is correct, and the focus was civil engineering. There are/will be several college surveys on the bookstands in the next few months that rank all (almost all) US colleges and universities. In the interim a quick pass through your local library or a google search should give you some stats. Best wishes, and keep in mind that while the service academies have several common features, it is important to know which one is your personal best fit.
 
Not the right question

I imagine that all 3 academies would have stellar engineering programs, but I'm wondering if one is typically thought of as the "best."
Thanks!

All three academies have fine, highly ranked engineering programs, and will prepare you for a career in the military as well. Beyond that, 'best' is going to be largely a matter of perception. Any of the academies can prepare you to work as an engineer, as can any of the highly rated non-military schools, or for that matter, lots of state schools. No matter how good the school, you'll probably learn more in your first year working as an engineer, which might or might not be what you do as an Academy graduate.

If you attend an academy, graduate and take your commission, you might end up as a fighter pilot, a platoon leader in the Marines, a Navy intelligence officer, etc., jobs which might use some or none of the engineering skills you'd learn getting your degree. The chances you'd get a job designing planes is extremely remote.

If you get out after five years or 20 as an officer, you might need to refresh your engineering skills if you want to work as an engineer, but the leadership skills, top secret clearance, and other things you'll pick up along the way will make you much more employable.

If you really want to work as an aeronautical engineer, you might be better off with a degree from a civilian school like Stanford or MIT, and applying to Northrop-Grumman or Lockheed. If you want to be a leader, serve your country, do something that really matters, an academy might be for you.
 
If you do want a job designing ships and plaines, Engineering Duty Officer and Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer are possible service selections from USNA.

Not sure what the USA and USAF have to offer in that respect.
 
You think you have it bad?


Yes, yes, we know there are four military academies, but he asked about three. Try being a Marine - we don't even have one of our own, and if a Marine attends the USNA, there not even any way to be sure he doesn't come out a swabbie!
 
In recent years USNA and USAFA aero engineering programs were ranked in the top five of their ilk in the US - usually virtually in a dead heat. USMATx basically is correct, and the focus was civil engineering. There are/will be several college surveys on the bookstands in the next few months that rank all (almost all) US colleges and universities. In the interim a quick pass through your local library or a google search should give you some stats. Best wishes, and keep in mind that while the service academies have several common features, it is important to know which one is your personal best fit.


The ranking of service academies (whether overall quality or just with respect to engineering) is completely misleading as they are only being compared to schools that offer only up to a Masters degree. Its not surprising to be ranked high when you dont compare yourself to Harvard, Yale Penn, Stanford, Berkley, Columbia, VT, GT, etc.

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-no-doctorate (top engineering schools doctorate not offered)

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandr...octorate-aerospace-aeronautical-astronautical (top aero schools doctorate offered)

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandr...ineering-aerospace-aeronautical-astronautical (top aero schools doctorate not offered)


If your goal is to become a world class engineer, then dont come to a service academy. You come to a service academy to become an officer and serve your country, and in doing so you also receive an above average education.
 
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Maybe not for Aero, but look at USMMA. Kings Pointers combination of theory and hands on experience make them some of the most sought after in the industry. General Dynamics Electric Boat spends it's time recruiting engineers at KP and the Ivy League schools if that tells you anything. Even then the Eletric Boat Recruiters will tell you the Kings Pointers are who they are really after. The theory is great, but Kings Pointers can operate equipment too, they know their way around a big plant and can make it work it's a rare wedding of skills.
 
There is no 'best' academy. Any effort to try to prove that leads to endless circular debates.
 
+1 time2.

They are all great, the question is what branch do you want to serve in for 5 yrs AD?

Would you seriously go to the USNA if you don't want to be on a ship? Would you go to WP if you don't want to be in a tank? Would you want to be landlocked (AFA)?

SA's are 4 yrs. and you get to choose where you go. The military is 5 yrs 24/7/365 days and they determine where you will go, and when you will go.

The fact is every SA is considered an Ivy league education. If you plan to do 5 and dive, your experience as an officer is going to matter just as much as your degree in the workforce.

For the OP, this is just my opinion, but ask yourself, which service is going to use you more as an aerospace engineer major? Just curious, but what career field do you want? I.E. Engineering, or rated? If you go rated your degree is not going to be a player for a very long time. You can't do 5 and dive.
 
Try being a Marine - we don't even have one of our own, and if a Marine attends the USNA, there not even any way to be sure he doesn't come out a swabbie!

Ah, yes, the Marines have HUGE issues with advertising! Ha!!! :biggrin:

Try being the Coast Guard junior officer who goes after the Marine Lt. Col. at a DOD function at the Pentagon when that Marine Lt. Col. just said "the Marine Corps is the smallest branch of the military."

I "respectfully" corrected him when I was up.... "The Coast Guard is the smallest branch of the military."

The Marine Corps is 4x the size of the Coast Guard, and has a budget 16x the size. But something tells me Marines will find a way to get their name out thre anyway!
 
I believe USMA has the most renowned Engineering program in the country. My source being my older brother who is a Point grad, and completed the Civil Engineering program there with honors.

I do not believe USMA has an Aerospace Engineering major just as USNA does not have a Civil Engineering major.
 
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