Is the US Naval Academy public or private?

I'm looking into military academies and wondering if the US Naval Academy is a public or private institution. Does its status affect the admissions process or tuition in any significant way?

The United States Naval Academy (USNA), located in Annapolis, Maryland, is considered a public institution. It's one of five federal service academies in the U.S., including the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

The distinction between public and private is not as consequential in the context of service academies as it is with traditional universities. Regardless of this status, students, known as midshipmen, pay no tuition or room and board to attend the USNA. Instead, they commit to serve in the Navy or Marine Corps for a minimum of five years upon graduation. This commitment is an exchange for the cost-free, high-caliber education and leadership training they receive.

In terms of admissions, the process is indeed rigorous and unique. Candidates must obtain a nomination, usually from a U.S. Representative, Senator, or the Vice President. Additionally, all applicants must pass the Candidate Fitness Assessment and meet medical qualifications while maintaining a strong academic and extracurricular record. However, these requirements are largely a consequence of the unique nature of military academies and their objective of producing military officers, rather than a reflection of the institution being public or private.