There are multiple opportunites to get involved with an Army, Navy or Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program while completing your college degree in the state of Wisconsin. Even if you are enrolled at a school without standalone ROTC facilities, you may be able to complete your military training at a different university through one of Wisconsin's ROTC school partnership networks.
School Comparison
| School Name | Institution Type | Location | 2016-2017 Tuition (in-state)* | Tuition Assistance/Military Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Wisconsin - Madison | 4-year, Public | Madison, WI | $10,533 | 2-, 3- and 4-year scholarships and/or monthly stipend; STEM and nursing scholarships |
| Concordia University | 4-year, Private | Mequon, WI | $28,600 | 2-, 3- and 4-year scholarships and/or monthly stipend |
| Milwaukee School of Engineering | 4-year, Private | Milwaukee, WI | $39,429 | 3- and 4-year scholarships and/or monthly stipend |
| University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh | 4-year, Public | Oshkosh, WI | $7,587 | 2-, 3- and 4-year scholarships and/or monthly stipend |
| Marquette University | 4-year, Private | Milwaukee, WI | $39,900 | 2-, 3- and 4-year scholarships and/or monthly stipend |
| Wisconsin Lutheran College | 4-year, Private | Milwaukee, WI | $29,140 | 3- and 4-year scholarships and/or monthly stipend |
Source: *National Center for Education Statistics
Overview of ROTC schools in Wisconsin
Some Wisconsin schools only offer one or two types of ROTC programs, but some give students the choice of participating in Army, Navy or Airforce ROTC. Most allow students to choose any major and be enrolled as a typical full-time bachelor's degree student alongside the ROTC program. The descriptions below provide more detail about some Wisconsin schools' ROTC offerings.
University of Wisconsin - Madison
UW Madison is one of many campuses of the University of Wisconsin. This large public school is home to Army, Navy and Airforce ROTC programs. Each of these programs blends leadership training, physical fitness and extracurricular activities to prepare students to be commissioned into their respective military branch. One extracurricular activity is the Scabbard and Blade joint service honor society, which aims to better cadets and midshipmen as future officers, and to strengthen the relationship between each branch. Army ROTC cadets can also participate in the university's color guard, intramural sports activities, or even the Ranger Challenge, a physically demanding annual competition.
Concordia University
Concordia University is one of several Wisconsin schools in an ROTC partnership with Marquette University. Concordia students take their major classes on campus, and all Army or Air Force ROTC classwork and training at Marquette. ROTC at Concordia entails four days of physical fitness training per week, one day per week of leadership lab, and weekly military science classes. Scholarship recipients who commit to the full four years of ROTC in either branch will participate in summer training activities, such as the Army ROTC Advanced Camp in Kentucky. Concordia offers its students plenty of ways to get involved in military activities, like field exercises, military dinners and balls, and intramural or varsity athletics.
Milwaukee School of Engineering
MSOE specializes in engineering, business and nursing degrees. Its student body is small, allowing for students to benefit from low faculty to student ratios and individual attention. MSOE students can choose to enroll in Army, Air Force or Navy ROTC. They, like Concordia University students, travel to nearby Marquette University for training and coursework with the battalion of their choice. Students in any of MSOE's three ROTC programs may be eligible for up to full tuition coverage, and the school may provide additional funding on top of military scholarships to cover additional expenses.
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Another University of Wisconsin campus, UW Oshkosh, is home to the Fox Valley Army ROTC battalion. This ROTC program is recognized as one of the top in the country, winning awards based on cadet performance and retention and the achievement of the school's commissioning mission. The Army ROTC program is divided into the Basic Course and the Advanced Course. Advanced Course students commit to fulfilling all ROTC requirements in order to be commissioned as an officer upon graduation. This includes finishing the two year Basic Course or obtaining Basic Course credit by attending a summer training program. The Fox Valley Battalion stresses teamwork, one-on-one mentorship and student leadership throughout its program to help students through college and prepare them for their future careers.
Marquette University
Marquette University is a Catholic Jesuit school located in downtown Milwaukee. It offers over 80 undergraduate majors and has a diverse student body. It is home to ROTC programs for the Army, Navy and Air Force, and it hosts students from a number of nearby colleges and universities. For example, the Army ROTC program aims to provide great leadership training and the tools necessary to succeed at a military or civilian career. Students can participate in Army ROTC for up to two years before committing, and numerous scholarship opportunities exist. ROTC students take military science classes and participate in multiple early-morning physical fitness or leadership laboratory activities each week.
Wisconsin Lutheran College
Wisconsin Lutheran College is a Christian college of just over 1,000 undergraduate students. It is rooted in the Lutheran faith, aiming to prepare students to become Christian leaders. Wisconsin Lutheran College is in a crosstown partnership with Marquette University for students to participate in Air Force ROTC. Students who complete the program are commissioned as officers into the US Air Force. During college, students take four years of aerospace studies classes. A corresponding Leadership Laboratory teaches military customs and courtesies and physical training, and allows students to practice leadership skills and effective communication.
