Public
Accredited · Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Marion, Alabama
59.2% Acceptance Rate
Marion Military Institute — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
59.2%Acceptance Rate
1043Avg SAT
20Avg ACT
$18,458Annual Cost
$59,644Grad Salary
43.4%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
59.2%
Avg SAT
1043
Avg ACT
20
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
1010–1240
ACT Middle 50%
17–23
Avg Net Price
$10,137
Need-Based Aid
43.4% receive Pell
Marion Military Institute, founded in 1842, is America's oldest military junior college and the only two-year institution with a Corps of Cadets.
The 129-acre campus in Alabama features leadership training facilities, equestrian programs, and preparation programs for service academies. Its military tradition develops character and discipline alongside academic excellence.
Marion Military Institute Acceptance Rate
Marion Military Institute is moderately selective. 59.2% of applicants are admitted, with room for a well-rounded, if imperfect, transcript.
What Marion Military Institute Admissions Looks For
- Whole-Person Review: Personal circumstances and career goals are weighed alongside grades.
- Flexible on GPA: Strong extracurriculars or work experience can offset an average transcript.
Selectivity at a Glance
Somewhat Selective
Selectivity scale: Somewhat Selective — 59.2% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Check Your Admission Chances at Marion Military Institute
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Marion Military Institute's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Marion Military Institute Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Marion Military Institute. Landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Marion Military Institute Without SAT or ACT?
Test scores are mandatory at Marion Military Institute. Book your SAT/ACT dates early and plan on a retake if your score comes in under the averages below.
Marion Military Institute Average SAT Score: 1043
Admitted students at Marion Military Institute average a 1043 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1043 — Accessible
A 1043 average means even a modest SAT score can strengthen your application.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1240 SAT or 23 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Marion Military Institute allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1010? A retake is worth it at Marion Military Institute. Two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 560 | 510 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 565 | 500 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1043 | 1010 | 1240 |
A score under 1010 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1240+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1050
Can I get into Marion Military Institute with a 1250 SAT?
At 1250, your SAT is squarely in Marion Military Institute's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file. GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Marion Military Institute ACT Requirements
Marion Military Institute's admitted students average an ACT of 20.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 20 — Less Competitive
An average of 20 leaves room above it for a competitive application.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 20 | 16 | 24 |
| ACT English | 19 | 15 | 23 |
| ACT Composite | 20 | 17 | 23 |
Can I get into Marion Military Institute with a 23 ACT?
At 23, you're in the top quarter of Marion Military Institute's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections, English, Math, Reading, and Science, are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Marion Military Institute weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily. The ACT opens the door, and the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Marion Military Institute
Accessible Strategy: Academic Foundation
Marion Military Institute takes a broad view of applicants. Your energy is best spent proving readiness for coursework and maximizing your financial aid package.
Choose the specific structural track deliberately, not just "military junior college" generically
MMI offers genuinely different pathways: the Army ROTC Early Commissioning Program (2-year path to a 2nd Lieutenant commission), the General Bruce K. Holloway Service Academy Program (a one-year academic/physical prep track endorsed by all five federal service academies), and Air Force ROTC via a crosstown agreement - students are enrolled at MMI but physically attend AFROTC classes at University of Alabama's Det 010 each week. A family should pick the intended track upfront, since each has its own application and structure.
Start satisfying the ECP's specific entry requirement well before senior year
Entry into the Army ROTC ECP requires meeting one of several defined military-background routes - 5-week ROTC Cadet Initial Entry Training after high school graduation, 3 years of JROTC with PMS approval, completed Basic Combat Training, or honorable prior service - plus, for scholarship competitiveness, an ACT composite around 22 or higher. A student should identify and begin satisfying the specific qualifying route as early as junior year, not try to arrange it after arriving on campus.
Understand which scholarships are automatic and which require a separate process
Institutional scholarships (Presidential at 75% tuition, Academic Dean at 50%, Leadership at 50%) are automatically considered upon general application with no extra essay. ROTC, athletic, band, and drill team scholarships each require their own separate audition, tryout, or application - don't assume submitting one application covers all of these funding sources.
Ask specifically about Alabama county and Boys State/Girls State-linked scholarships
As a state-supported institution, MMI offers named scholarships tied to residency in specific Alabama counties and to Boys State/Girls State participation - real, concrete funding sources that don't exist at a typical private military school and are worth raising directly with Alabama-resident families.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes focus only on the ECP's "commission in 2 years" headline without understanding the full package attached to it: a cadet must complete their bachelor's degree within 36 months of graduating MMI and serve a total of 8 years in the Reserves/National Guard (or a combination with active duty). This is a genuine multi-year commitment that should be explained in full at the point of enrollment, not discovered partway through.
Marion Military Institute Profile
Full Name
Marion Military Institute
City
Marion
State
Alabama
ZIP Code
36756-3207
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC)
Is a Marion Military Institute Degree Worth It?
At $18,458/year against a $59,644 median graduate salary, Marion Military Institute is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $56,300, and graduates see a 3.58% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Marion Military Institute Cost?
Listed tuition runs $18,458/year at Marion Military Institute. Factor in Pell and federal grant aid, and most students land closer to $10,137.
At Marion Military Institute, 43.4% receive a Pell Grant and 39.7% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Marion Military Institute on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Marion Military Institute Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Marion Military Institute graduates report a median income of $59,644, about 47% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Marion Military Institute. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faulkner University | Montgomery, AL | 1016 | 20 |
| University of West Alabama | Livingston, AL | 1015 | 20 |
| Central Baptist College | Conway, AR | 1022 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton | Morrilton, AR | 1020 | 20 |
| Williams Baptist University | Walnut Ridge, AR | 1018 | 19 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver, CO | 1014 | 20 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo, CO | 1005 | 22 |
| Trinity Baptist College | Jacksonville, FL | 1007 | 20 |
| Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College | Tifton, GA | 994 | 19 |
| College of Coastal Georgia | Brunswick, GA | 1001 | 18 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Marion Military Institute. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Little Rock, AR | 1049 | 21 |
| Arkansas Tech University | Russellville, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Southern Arkansas University Main Campus | Magnolia, AR | 1050 | 20 |
| University of Arkansas-Fort Smith | Fort Smith, AR | 1050 | 21 |
| Western Connecticut State University | Danbury, CT | 1044 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Marion Military Institute. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Troy University | Troy, AL | 1086 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
Degree Programs at Marion Military Institute
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Marion Military Institute Admissions
Marion Military Institute graduates earn a moderate median salary of $59,644/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Marion Military Institute is relatively affordable, around $18,458/year.
43.4% of Marion Military Institute students get a Pell Grant. Your odds depend mostly on household income, and filing FAFSA early still helps maximize what you're offered.
Marion Military Institute's acceptance rate is 59.2%, comparatively higher than most selective universities. Admission is more attainable here.
Marion Military Institute weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1043, and within the 1010–1240 range, keeps you competitive.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out, plus a solid test score where the school considers one.