The University of North Georgia (UNG) is a public university in Dahlonega whose Corps of Cadets, the Boar’s Head Brigade, makes it one of six federally designated Senior Military Colleges and earns it the title The Military College of Georgia. Its ROTC program is Army only, commissioning is optional, and out-of-state cadets pay in-state tuition. This guide covers cadet admission requirements, the acceptance rate, 2026-27 costs, scholarships, cadet life, commissioning and how UNG compares with other military colleges and the service academies.
UNG is a large, mostly civilian university with several campuses, but its Corps of Cadets lives on the Dahlonega campus in military residence halls. The Corps traces its history to 1873, and UNG says more than 50 general and flag officers are among its alumni.
Students choose their path from the start: apply as a cadet and live under the Corps’ rules for eight semesters, or attend as a civilian student. Cadets and civilians take classes together.
In This Article
- UNG and the Boar’s Head Brigade at a Glance
- Cadet Admission Requirements and Acceptance Rate
- Cost and Scholarships
- The Boar’s Head Brigade and Cadet Life
- Army ROTC, Commissioning and Service Obligation
- Academics and Language Programs
- How UNG Compares With Other Military Colleges and the Academies
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Where This Leaves You
UNG and the Boar’s Head Brigade at a Glance
Federal law (10 U.S.C. 2111a) names the University of North Georgia as one of six Senior Military College schools. UNG is also known as The Military College of Georgia.
| Item | Figure | Source / year |
|---|---|---|
| Location of the Corps | Dahlonega campus, Georgia | UNG |
| Corps history | Since 1873 | UNG |
| Newest cadet class | About 240 freshmen at FROG Week, Aug. 2-8, 2026 | UNG, 2026 |
| University acceptance rate | 68% of 13,298 applicants | NCES, fall 2024 |
| ROTC | Army only | UNG / NCES |
| Tuition, in-state rate (all cadets) | $5,790 plus $1,180 in fees | UNG, 2026-27 |
| Commissioned, May 2026 | 60 second lieutenants, plus 13 non-commissioning graduates | UNG, 2026 |
| Commissioning required? | No | UNG |
Cadet Admission Requirements and Acceptance Rate
UNG as a whole admitted 68% of its 13,298 first-year applicants for fall 2024, according to NCES. Cadets go through a separate Military College Admissions office with its own minimums and deadlines, which are stricter than many of UNG’s general admission options.
Minimums for first-time cadets
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Age | 17 or older before the start of cadet basic training (FROG Week) |
| High school GPA | At least 2.4 in the Required High School Curriculum |
| SAT minimums | 480 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing and 440 Math |
| ACT minimums (alternative) | 17 English or Reading and 17 Math |
| Fall deadlines | Early action Nov. 15; regular admission April 1; final deadline July 1 |
Cadet applicants must meet the SAT or ACT minimums above, so plan to test. On the first day of FROG Week, new cadets go through a medical screening to confirm they’re cleared for training, and they take a physical training test (push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile run) on day three. Arrive ready for both.
Unlike the service academies, UNG doesn’t require a congressional nomination, a candidate fitness test or a Department of Defense medical review to be admitted as a cadet.
Cost and Scholarships
The biggest financial advantage of UNG’s Corps is the Cadet Grant: every out-of-state cadet, upon acceptance, pays tuition and fees at the in-state rate. That removes nearly $16,000 a year from an out-of-state student’s bill compared with a civilian student.
| 2026-27 Dahlonega, living on campus | In-state rate (all cadets) | Out-of-state civilian |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,790 | $21,780 |
| Fees | $1,180 | $1,180 |
| Housing and meals | $13,900 | $13,900 |
| Books and supplies | $1,570 | $1,570 |
| Estimated cost of attendance | $29,300 for cadets | $42,490 |
UNG’s cadet budget is higher than a civilian student’s in-state budget ($26,500) because UNG adds cadet-specific costs to the personal-expense line ($5,480 for cadets vs. $2,680 for other undergraduates). UNG’s own cadet cost sheet for 2025-26 listed $2,800 for uniforms in the first semester and an annual total of $23,768 in billed charges for a first-year cadet. Prices are subject to change.
Scholarships for cadets
- Army ROTC scholarships: two-, three- and four-year awards that pay tuition and fees in exchange for a service commitment. See our guide to federal Army ROTC scholarships and how to apply.
- Georgia Military Service Scholarship (GMSS): the state funds 42 full scholarships a year for Georgia high school seniors who receive a legislative nomination, keep a 3.0 GPA, are accepted as freshman cadets, meet Army National Guard standards and enlist in the Georgia Army National Guard. It covers tuition, books, uniforms, fees, meals and housing, which UNG values at about $85,000 or more over four years. Recipients commission into the Georgia Army National Guard and serve a total of eight years, with four years in the Georgia Guard after graduation. In the current cycle, applications opened August 1, 2026; first consideration is November 15, 2026, and the final deadline is February 1, 2027.
- UNG and need-based aid: cadets can also apply for regular UNG scholarships and federal aid through the FAFSA.
The Boar’s Head Brigade and Cadet Life
New cadets start with FROG Week (Freshman Recruit Orientation Group), a seven-day transition from civilian student to cadet. About 240 freshmen went through it August 2-8, 2026.
A typical freshman cadet day
- 6:15 a.m.: first call, on the hall in uniform for accountability
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings: physical readiness training (running, push-ups, sit-ups and other exercises)
- Tuesday and Thursday, 7-8 a.m.: room and uniform inspections by the cadet chain of command
- 9 a.m.-5 p.m.: classes alongside civilian students, plus military science courses
- Monday afternoon: leadership lab, including infantry tactics and drill
- 8-11:30 p.m.: “Quarters,” when first-semester cadets stay in their rooms to study
- Midnight: Taps, lights out
About once a month, cadets have a “closed weekend” of field training at locations such as Camp Frank D. Merrill. Other weekends are open for free time and travel.
Rules that apply to every cadet
UNG describes the Corps as an eight-semester residential program. Cadets must take at least 12 credit hours each semester, including a two-hour military science course and a one-hour military science exercise physiology course every fall and spring. Cadets live in military residence halls, with exceptions for cadets who commute from a parent’s or grandparent’s home in nearby counties, who are married, who are 23 or older when they apply, or who have two years of honorable federal service.
Specialty units and teams include the Aggressors Platoon, Ranger Challenge, the Mountain Order of Colombo and the Leadership Development Program. The structure is similar to the dual military-civilian campuses at the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets and Virginia Tech, on a smaller scale.
Army ROTC, Commissioning and Service Obligation
UNG offers only Army ROTC. Cadets who commission become second lieutenants in the active Army, the Army National Guard or the Army Reserve. UNG commissioned 60 cadets in May 2026, 20 more on September 10, 2026, and almost 40 in December 2025.
Commissioning is optional. UNG states that cadets are not required to serve after graduation. Cadets who don’t commission graduate through the National Service Leadership Track; 13 did so alongside the May 2026 commissioning class.
What you owe if you commission
- Army ROTC scholarship or advanced course: an eight-year obligation, typically four years of active duty followed by time in the Individual Ready Reserve, or service in the Army Reserve or National Guard for selected cadets
- Georgia Military Service Scholarship: eight years total, including four years in the Georgia Army National Guard after graduation
- Non-commissioning cadets: no obligation
Because UNG is a Senior Military College, 10 U.S.C. 2111a(e) requires the Army to assign a graduate to active duty if the graduate wants it, is medically and physically qualified, and is recommended by the professor of military science.
If you want to commission into the Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Space Force, UNG isn’t the right fit. Senior military colleges with those ROTC programs include Norwich University, the Virginia Military Institute and Virginia Tech.
Academics and Language Programs
Cadets can choose from UNG’s bachelor’s degrees, which include programs such as biology, cybersecurity, criminal justice, nursing and business. Cadets attend class with civilian students rather than in separate sections.
UNG is known for its language programs. Cadets can study a new language in UNG’s Summer Language Institutes or through the Chinese Flagship Program.
How UNG Compares With Other Military Colleges and the Academies
Among the six senior military colleges, UNG is the most affordable for out-of-state cadets because of the Cadet Grant, and it is the only one limited to Army ROTC. It shares the dual cadet-and-civilian campus model with Texas A&M, Virginia Tech and Norwich, while VMI and The Citadel are all-cadet colleges.
| UNG Corps of Cadets | Federal service academies | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (fall 2024) | 68% (university-wide) | West Point 12%, Naval Academy 9%, Air Force Academy 14% |
| Nomination | Not required (except the state GMSS scholarship, which needs a legislative nomination) | Required for most applicants |
| Cost (2026-27) | About $29,300 estimated cost of attendance at the in-state rate, before aid | No tuition, room or board |
| Commissioning | Optional; Army only | Required |
| Service obligation | Only with an ROTC contract, scholarship or GMSS | 5 years active duty plus 3 in the reserve (West Point) |
If you’re certain you want to serve as an Army officer and can earn a nomination, compare UNG with the United States Military Academy, which charges no tuition but requires five years of active duty. For a general look at whether a military college suits you, read our comparison of military college vs. a traditional university.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do UNG cadets have to join the military?
No. UNG says cadets are not required to serve after graduation. Cadets who don’t commission graduate through the National Service Leadership Track. Only cadets with an ROTC contract, an ROTC scholarship or the Georgia Military Service Scholarship owe service.
Do out-of-state cadets pay in-state tuition at UNG?
Yes. All out-of-state cadets receive the Cadet Grant upon acceptance, which lets them pay tuition and fees at the in-state rate.
What GPA and test scores do UNG cadets need?
At least a 2.4 high school GPA in the Required High School Curriculum and minimum scores of 480 reading and writing and 440 math on the SAT, or 17 English or reading and 17 math on the ACT.
Can UNG cadets commission into the Navy or Air Force?
No. UNG offers only Army ROTC, so cadets commission into the active Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
What is FROG Week?
FROG (Freshman Recruit Orientation Group) Week is UNG’s seven-day cadet orientation before fall classes. It includes a medical screening on day one and a physical training test on day three.
Where This Leaves You
UNG is a strong option if you’re interested in the Army, want a structured cadet experience, and need to keep costs down, especially if you live outside Georgia. The Cadet Grant, low in-state tuition and Army ROTC scholarships make it one of the cheapest routes through a senior military college.
If you’re a Georgia resident willing to serve in the Georgia Army National Guard, look at the Georgia Military Service Scholarship before the November 15 first-consideration date. If you want a Navy, Marine Corps or Air Force commission, look at a senior military college with those ROTC programs instead.
William Johnson writes about U.S. military training and enlistment for Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges. His work covers topics such as boot camp, ROTC, the ASVAB test, military pay, and what to expect during basic training, with a focus on giving recruits and their families clear, practical information about military life.
Sources
- University of North Georgia. “Cadet Admissions: High School Graduates.” UNG.
- University of North Georgia. “Corps of Cadets Application Process.” UNG.
- University of North Georgia. “Corps of Cadets FAQs.” UNG.
- University of North Georgia. “Estimated Costs for Financial Aid, 2026-2027.” UNG, 2026.
- University of North Georgia. “Costs for Cadets.” UNG, 2025.
- University of North Georgia. “Georgia Military Service Scholarship.” UNG.
- University of North Georgia. “Daily Life for Cadet Freshmen.” UNG.
- University of North Georgia. “FROG Week.” UNG.
- University of North Georgia. “Cadets Ready to Lead as Officers.” UNG News, 2026.
- University of North Georgia. “Deliver the Corps of the Future.” UNG, 2026.
- University of North Georgia. “Cadet Admissions.” UNG.
- National Center for Education Statistics. “College Navigator: University of North Georgia.” NCES, 2026.
- Legal Information Institute. “10 U.S. Code 2111a: Support for senior military colleges.” Cornell Law School.
- U.S. Army. “Army ROTC Scholarships.” GoArmy.com.
- U.S. Military Academy. “Tuition and Service Commitment.” West Point.
- U.S. Department of Education. “College Scorecard.” ed.gov, 2026.
