This teaching example is adapted from an interactive graphic in the public domain. Similar information is public in a more complete and authoritative form that is more appropriate to cite.

ROTC Diversity

The ROTC program trains college students to serve as officers in the U.S. military, with the Army, Navy, and Air Force offering this training at colleges and universities. From 2011 to 2021, ROTC has become more diverse in terms of race, gender, and ethnicity--though it is still mostly White and male.

About this interactive:

  • You can filter the map by Army, Navy, and Air Force-specific ROTC programs.
  • HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions are color-coded for easy identification.
  • Demographic graphs beneath the map show ROTC data grouped by school categories such as 2-year or 4-year, and campus type.

Demographic Data across ROTC Programs for Academic Years 2011-2021

These graphs display ROTC demographic data by various categories. Select a category of school from the dropdown menu below. Mouse over the bars to see specific percentage information.

02M4M6M8M10M12M14M16M18MAverage number 2012-202102.5k5k7.5k10k12.5k15k17.5k20k22.5k02.5k5k7.5k10k12.5k15k17.5k20k22.5k020406080100Officers commissioned from ROTCROTC enrolleesStudents on campusesStudents at all 4 year universitiesWomenMen020406080100Officers commissioned from ROTCROTC enrolleesStudents on campusesStudents at all 4 year universities
Hispanic or LatinoBlack or African AmericanAsian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific IslanderAll other racesWhiteAll Schools with ROTCOverall campus enrollmentROTC enrollmentOfficers CommissionedRacial and Ethnic Makeup of PopulationGender Makeup of PopulationAll Schools with ROTC▼

Mouse over the bars above to see specific percentage information.

Sources: Analysis of Department of Defense and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System data.

Notes:

  • We report average demographics for academic years 2011 through 2021.
  • Four military colleges are also minority serving institutions, so these schools are in both categories: Georgia Military College, Georgia Military College - Valdosta, New Mexico Military Institute, and Valley Forge Military College.
  • For the purposes of this graphic, we consider extension units to be cross-towns.
  • Our campus enrollment numbers include students considered U.S. residents. Non-citizens are generally ineligible to participate in ROTC.
  • Students at two-year schools with cross-town arrangements can enroll in ROTC but generally need to transfer to a four-year school to complete the program and earn a commission. Thus, for two-year schools, we have data on ROTC enrollment but not on commissioning.
  • This interactive was updated in September 2023 to correct an error in ROTC enrollment at the University of South Carolina - Columbia.