ROTC Scholarship Cadet

Also called: Army ROTC, Naval ROTC (NROTC), Air Force ROTC, Space Force ROTC

College student at a regular university whose tuition is paid by ROTC in exchange for becoming a military officer after graduation.

A day in the life

ROTC cadets live a normal college life plus early-morning PT a few days a week, military science classes, and summer training. Scholarships can cover full tuition at more than 1,700 colleges. Graduates commission as second lieutenants or ensigns.

Pay over a career

Starting
$5k
Typical
$6k
High
$8k

Monthly stipend of about $420-$500 during the school year plus a book allowance; full-tuition scholarships are the main value.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 0 years after high school. Apply for a scholarship in high school or join in college; serve about 4 years after commissioning (8 total including reserves).

Ways in: Military, 4-year college. Training cost: Get paid while you train.

Majors to look at: Any major, Engineering, Nursing.

Outlook

Growing about average. ROTC produces the largest share of new officers; scholarships are competitive.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. ROTC trains future officers in person; AI won't replace the path.

Start now, in high school

Classes: AP Calculus, PE / fitness, Leadership class.

More Leadership, Training & Service Academies careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.