The United States Air Force Academy is the undergraduate institution for commissioned officers entering the U.S. Air Force. Its campus is located 8 miles north of Colorado Springs – and 30 miles from Denver – in El Paso County, Colorado. The program at the Air Force Academy is guided by the core values of “Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do,” and based on four “pillars of excellence”: military training, academics, athletics, and character development. Each component of the program is intended to give cadets the skills and knowledge that they will need for success as officers.
In addition to a rigorous military training regimen, cadets also take a broad academic course load with an extensive core curriculum in engineering, humanities, social sciences, basic sciences, military studies and physical education. US Air Force Academy cadets may choose among 32 academic majors and enjoy a student/faculty ratio of 7 to 1. All cadets participate in either intercollegiate or intramural athletics – and take a thorough character development and leadership curriculum. The US Air Force Academy is the youngest of the five U.S. service academies, having graduated its first class in 1959. Graduates of the Academy’s four-year program receive a Bachelor of Science degree, and most are commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Air Force.
While at the US Air Force Academy, cadets obtain a solid background in all phases of aviation. All male and female cadets who meet the physical qualifications are considered for flying training and may be selected to fill available openings. Undergraduate Flying Training (conducted after graduation) prepares qualified graduates for flying careers in airlift, bomber, fighter, multirole, special operations, or transport aircraft.
Candidates for admission are judged on their academic achievement, demonstrated leadership, athletics and character. To gain admission, US Air Force Academy candidates must also pass a fitness test, undergo a thorough medical examination, and secure a nomination – which usually comes from the member of Congress in the candidate’s home district. Tuition, books, room and board are all paid for by the U.S. Government.
Early Action/Decision
Early Action/Decision application deadline: N/A.
Regular Decision
Regular decision deadline: December 31.
Transfers
Transfer application deadline: N/A.
Freshmen Admissions
Number of applicants: 8,353
Enrolled: 1,056
Yield: 77.9%
Acceptance rate: 16.2%
Grades
Average GPA: 3.80
Top 10% of High School: 78%
Middle SAT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
SAT Composite: 1320-1470
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 650-730
SAT Math: 660-750
Middle ACT Range (25 to 75 Percentile)
ACT Composite: 28-33
ACT English: 27-34
ACT Math: 27-32
SAT/ACT required
Writing portion not required
SAT Subject Tests not required
Graduation Rates
4 years: 87.3%
5 years: 88.0%
6 years: 88.1%
Total Rhodes Scholars: 43
R&D Expenditures: $32.09 million
Tuition, room and board are covered by the U.S. Government. Cadets receive a monthly supplement, which is equivalent to a percentage of a second lieutenant’s pay. (It works out to approximately $1,200 per month.)
For purposes of calculating our median AdmissionsConsultants Top 25 Liberal Arts financial aid statistics, we omitted the service academies. (As opposed to using values of zero to drive down the median for this group.)
Student to Faculty Ratio: 7.0 to 1
Women: 29%
Students living in campus housing: 100%
Greek life: N/A
Undergraduate Class Sizes
Under 20: 66%
20 to 39: 33%
40 to 99: 1%
100+: 0%
Student Population
Total: 4,085 (all undergraduate)
Student Residence
In State: 6%
Out of State: 93%
International: 1%
- 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 2400 USAF Academy, CO 80840
- (719) 333-1110
- rr_webmail@usafa.edu
- https://www.usafa.af.mil/