I actually would give the opposite view of USNA. USNA has so many resources available for all students then I ever imagined. Talking to current Mids it has only increased since I was there. First off, classes are very small. By the time I got to my senior level major classes I had 5-8 students in most classes. The upper level engineering classes, lab spaces, hands on work, and professors are top notch. They are extremely supportive in diving into projects that interest you and will support research and projects a Mid wants to do. There are no TAs teaching anything. Your professor will know you by name and know how you are performing. They will talk to you face to face if you they see you struggling. They will pick up the phone and call your company officer. I never had a professor not help or support me in a class, regardless of my grade in that course. There are study groups, tutors, extra instruction for all the core classes like chem, calc, physics, etc. On the flip side, no one is going to hold your hand either. If you want assistance, discussion, etc with a professor its a Mids responsibility to ask for it. The professors know the lifestyle of a Mid and adjust to it. We had profs come in at 9 pm to meet with us. They will meet us at 0530 if that is what is needed. No one will tell them No at USNA if a Mid asks for help. But, there isn't hand holding either. One of the things I noticed at USNA, is so many kids have done so well through school they don't know how to ask for help or even accept they are not doing well. As Plebes we required them first semester to map out their week, and record their studying. This helped me as an upperclass help track my Plebes academic progress and know if they are struggling, provide suggestions on how to get help, and quite frankly order them to get assistance in some cases. If I had a kid struggling, we made sure no one messed with their study time and when we say no one, it means them also. We made one kid turn off their cell phone every night during study period. It takes discipline and a setting a routine on how best to handle it all, remove the distractions, and succeed.
Study hours are from 1930-2300 at USNA for a Plebe. They can stay up late, but its something that is monitored. Sleep is necessary and some kids think just studying to study will help. They need to know how to study. USNA has tutors, classes and tips on how to improve study skills. They also have time to study in off periods, weekends, and after class if there is no drill or intramurals (believe it not plenty of days without this stuff). So many Plebes are bad at time management and it takes them a while to adjust to the new academic rigor. Nothing different then any other university. But they are trying to balance the demands of their upperclass, duty, working out, etc. Alot of the same things any kid at a university is facing. The upperclass stuff and pro knowledge is probably the part that stresses alot of new plebes out, but if you talk to a Plebe now they have figured it out and know how to balance their workload and days.
The bottom line is the school your child will succeed at the most is the school they are happiest at it. VTCC is a great school. Tons of friends and fellow Marines who went there. USNA is 24/7/365. VTCC is close, but not to that level of 24/7. If the 24/7 environment is not one you can see yourself in, then a SA is not the right place. USNA has its pros and cons, but its all about picking the school that fits what you prioritize. I loved USNA, was not an engineering major and now work as an engineer. Have been completing a Masters in engineering and have had no issues with it. So I guess you could say I am also biased about USNA too!