When checking pricing and costs of military colleges and universities, keep in mind the two types of military school programs: one that prepares you for a military career and teaches only military-related subjects; and one that prepares you for any career with a standard college education, but in a more disciplined and structured environment. Both help students develop strong leadership skills and both have different pricing structures for attendance.

Another factor that affects costs of military colleges and universities is the type of institution. The U.S. military usually funds Navy or Army colleges, so up-front costs may be small or even non-existent. Many military schools require attendees to pay for tuition. To lower initial costs, consider student loans or possibly an online military college or a military junior college. Continue your military education when you have enough money for the larger military institutes. When calculating costs of military colleges and universities, you should look into:

1. Military online schools that might be more cost-effective

2. Military junior college for an associate’s degree before pursuing your bachelor’s

3. Military universities that accept student loans

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Find accelerated programs for military education at many online outlets

Using an online military degree program offers added convenience to service members because they can take their classes anywhere they have a computer with Internet access. Thus, anytime you're transferred to another base, you take your classes with you -- something traditional schools can't offer. Plus, you can often use your G.I. Bill to pay for these programs.

I recommend: The University of Phoenix offers an online military education with a variety of degree programs. Tuition runs between $250 and $576 for active duty, National Guard and reserve military personnel and their spouses and between $325 and $692 per credit hour for veterans. Columbia College Hunter Army Airfield offers online classes for military personnel with credit hours running about $210 for undergraduate courses. There are also extra fees; check with the school before enrolling for the exact costs.

Check out costs of a military junior college to save money while earning an associate's

A two-year military junior college may be more cost-effective in obtaining your associate's degree; then you can move on to a four-year military university. Although there are a limited number of military junior colleges, one of these might fit your military education needs.

I recommend: Georgia Military College is a co-ed liberal arts junior college that has a cost calculator to get an estimated cost per quarter for commuter students. Marion Military Institute offers military training programs with yearly tuition and fees running a little over $6,700 for Alabama residents and a little over $12,700 for non-residents. Cadets also need to purchase uniforms their first year and other fees may be applicable.

Find military universities that accept student loans or other forms of tuition payment

Certain military schools, such as West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy, don't cost students anything because they're fully covered by the U.S. military; however, these schools are very competitive. If you don't qualify for one of them, be sure the military college you attend accepts student loans or other forms of payments. They should all accept the G.I. Bill, but if you need further financial assistance, you should know your options.

I recommend: The Citadel allows students to use the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) to pay for schooling and the school also offers numerous alternative options for student loans. Its tuition and fees run around $8,500 for South Carolina residents and $21,000 for non-residents annually. Valley Forge Military Academy & College costs almost $34,000 per year with other fees possibly required, depending on your coursework. They accept federal, private and alternative loans.

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• •  Tuition and fees for most military colleges and universities generally don't cover books or certain other fees, such as lab fees and the price of any uniforms required.

When thinking about military universities, most people picture an elaborate and elitist admission process. In the past many cadets and midshipmen were primarily inducted by local congressmen. Having friends in high places was a necessary part of getting to step into the prestigious halls of military colleges.

Today, however, the game has changed. Several doors of army colleges are opened for the young man or woman who desires the benefits of a military education. In a world that has an increasing demand for the skills developed at a military college, you do not have to count on who you know but who you are.

There are three major avenues to gaining admission to military institutes:

1. Petition your local congressman. This traditional approach is one way to reach the most exclusive military universities, such as West Point and Annapolis.
2. Apply to a military education program as an enlisted person in the armed services. Promoting through the ranks is an increasingly popular way to receive a military education at a public university.
3. Enroll at one of the more open military universities in order to be prepared for a future military career.

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For the US military academies, first distinguish yourself as a community member

To get the attention of your local congressman, you must be a top academic performer. However, good grades alone aren't enough. You should also participate in athletics, charities and other general community activities that demonstrates your involvement and contribution to the place where you live.

I recommend: West Point explains what it takes to make a successful application to the army's military academy. Get in touch with your congressman as soon as you're serious about admission to military universities. You can look up your elected officials at the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives and at the US Senate.

If you're on active duty, ask your company education officer about US military schools

All commands have a designated education officer who is in place to identify and encourage enlisted personnel who qualify for a more extensive military education. Open a line of communication with this individual in order to be considered for these career advancement possibilities in army colleges.

I recommend: Find out which type of education program best suits who you are. Specialty programs are in place to encourage the promotion of historically marginalized people. Opportunities, like the Airman Scholarship and Commissioning Program (ASCP), give an active duty person the chance to receive pay while attending a university and ROTC practice.

Consider local military universities

Many states have military colleges that lead to a commission in one of the services. While this choice might lack some of the prestige of the bigger academies, these smaller institutes will provide you with a chance to live in a military environment without having to make an irreversible commitment.

I recommend: Choose a school that offers an acceptable compromise between accessibility and affordibility. A reliable gateway to these universities is through the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS). Other programs that provide education opportunities to US Military schools include the well known GI Bill. To apply to these military school benefits visit the office of Veteran's Affairs.

Look no further than your laptop for a military education

With an increasing interest in accessibility, many military schools have begun offering an online option for accelerated programs for the military. Military online colleges can often allow for education in a tight work schedule.

I recommend: Military online schools like Rio Salado College can offer degrees in military science that will advance your military career. Convenience is something many army colleges just can't offer.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If choosing an online military college, make sure to check into school credentials. If unsure, check with the DOE or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Military colleges and universities prepare students for a variety of careers, including those in international affairs and relations, criminal justice and logistics. These institutions typically offer associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs just like their traditional counterparts, but in a highly structured and disciplined environment.

Military school programs in the U.S. are built on the foundation of a military preparatory school; however, there are two distinct types of military universities and colleges available. The more traditional type teaches only military-related subjects and disciplines to prepare students for a career in the military. The other type delivers a standard college education for a career outside the military, but keeps to the same principles used in military organizations with a strong focus on self-discipline and academic excellence. Both types help students develop strong leadership skills, but the second is more common. No matter which type you choose for your military education, learning military colleges and universities basics will help you understand what to expect. You should:

1. Learn what life is like at military colleges.

2. Explore the various military education programs and classes offered at military institutes.

3. Understand military school accreditation to ensure you're getting a good education.

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Find out what to expect at military colleges & universities

When exploring military colleges and universities basics, one of the first things you should look into is what life is like at a military college. Because of the stricter nature of these institutions, you may not enjoy the experience. Many military schools operate much like private schools, but structure themselves more like military organizations. This may include wearing uniforms and participating in military-type ceremonies.

I recommend: Read the information at ULinks.com to learn more about military universities and about life at these institutions. View the Cadet Life slide show to see what life is like at the U.S. Air Force Academy and then read the extra information about life at the academy to the left of the slide show.

Explore the different programs and courses available at military colleges

There are many US military universities and colleges to choose from, including those for specific branches, such as army colleges, and each may offer different programs and classes. Be sure to look carefully at what each institution offers before enrolling to ensure it has exactly what you're looking for.

I recommend: The U.S. Coast Guard Academy offers cadets eight majors to choose from, including four types of engineering, plus management, government, operations research and computer analysis and marine and environmental science. The United States Military Academy at West Point offers programs in academics, military training and physical training. Its military program offers coursework in tactical areas, leadership and ethics. The U.S. Naval Academy has several divisions in its academic program, including engineering and weapons, humanities and social sciences, information technology services, mathematics and science, officer development and professional development.

Verify that the military colleges are accredited so you don't waste time and money

Every college and university, including military universities, is required to have accreditation as a quality learning institution. Make sure the school you choose has the proper accreditation, or the classes you take may not transfer to other schools or count toward your degree-- or worse, the degree you receive may be worthless. Several national accrediting agencies offer accreditation, so ask the college you plan on attending about its accreditation and verify it with the agency.

I recommend: Learn more about accreditation and how it works by visiting the Council for Higher Education Accreditation website. Visit the U.S. Department of Education website for more information on accreditation, including lists of agencies recognized for accrediting specific types of educational institutions.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  U.S. military colleges and universities have specific principles for their students that you must be prepared for, such as the pursuit of success in every endeavor, leadership training, working within a structured work environment and emphasis on such values as duty, honor and integrity.

Military colleges and universities are one of the many choices high school students can look into when applying to college. If the student is interested in joining the military while attending or after graduating college, a military college education is a good choice for many reasons. Students who are interested in applying to one of these schools will want to learn military colleges and universities key terms.

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Military college programs

Military college programs offer service members the opportunity to go to college before, during and after serving in the military. They provide tuition assistance, testing programs, military school credit and certificate programs.

I recommend: My Future offers information on different military college programs.

Service members opportunity colleges

Service members opportunity colleges, or SOCs, allow military members and their families the opportunity to earn their college degree through a network of over 1,200 colleges, universities and technical schools. This makes it possible to continue your college education while on the move in the service, being assigned to different duty stations.

I recommend: The American Association of State Colleges and Universities provides information on SOC.

Military Academy

West Point Military Academy is the world's premiere leader development institution. It develops military cadets in several areas, including intellectually, physically, militarily, ethically, spiritually and socially. It has an academic program consisting of 31 core courses that prepare cadets for leadership in the United States Army.

I recommend: The United States Military Academy provides information on what the academy is and all it has to offer.

United States Naval Academy

The United States Naval Academy is an undergraduate college intended for students who wish to become officers of the U.S. Navy. The Academy provides up-to-date training in both academics and professionalism.

I recommend: The United States Naval Academy provides detailed information about the type of education the Academy has to offer.

United States Air Force Academy

The U.S. Air Force Academy has state-of-the-art facilities, including laboratories, observatories and a very large library. Its mission is to provide education, training and inspiration to men and women who wish to become leaders in the United States Air Force.

I recommend: The United States Air Force Academy provides information on the Academy.

United States Coast Guard Academy

The U.S. Coast Guard Academy is the smallest of the five United States service academies. It offers an elite, high-level, professional development education program with a more personalized approach. The Academy offers programs that integrate life experience with education, physical fitness, and character and leadership development.

I recommend: The United States Coast Guard Academy provides information on what the Academy has to offer.