How many years is the West Point Academy program?

I'm considering applying to West Point Academy and would like to know how long the program lasts. Is it a typical four-year college experience, or are there different requirements?

The United States Military Academy at West Point is similar to other undergraduate institutions in many ways, one of them being the duration of its program. The program at West Point is a four-year commitment.

Something unique to West Point, however, is that upon graduation, you'll be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Graduates then have an active duty service obligation of five years, with a total eight-year commitment to the military (the remaining three years can be served in the reserves if you wish).

This creates a sort of 'eight-year program', with the first four years being your academic and military training at West Point, and the subsequent four years carrying out your active duty service obligation in the Army. The duration and structure of the program reflect its goal to produce leaders who understand the commitment needed to serve in the military.