Air Force Academy Acceptance Rate 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026

United States Air Force Academy – Profile, Rankings and Data

Check here Air Force Academy Acceptance Rate for all years. Here I have listed Air Force Academy Acceptance Rate.

Air Force Academy Acceptance Rate: The United States Air Force Academy, a public college that only concentrates on a few programmes offered, is located in USAF Academy, Colorado. The United States Air Force Academy enrols about 4,700 students yearly.

It’s possible that taking the ACT or SAT is necessary to apply to this school. Applicants accepted to this school typically have SAT scores between 1230 (25th percentile) and 1440 (75th percentile) and ACT scores between 28 (25th percentile) and 33 (75th percentile).

The average GPA range for accepted students at the United States Air Force Academy is between 3.62 and 3.89 based on sampling GPA data that was gathered and applied.

Due to the reasonable number of candidates and the growing competitiveness for enrolment, only 11% of applicants are accepted to this school. The website for the admissions office is academyadmissions.com, where you may get further details.

Air Force Academy ranking

• Forbes*: 66
• U.S. News & World Report: 22 in National Liberal Arts Colleges
• Niche: 49 in Colleges with the Best Academics

In 2022, Forbes ceased to include the Air Force Academy in their rankings. This ranking is for 2023.

Air Force Academy majors 

There are more than 30 majors available to students at the Air Force Academy, and each one offers an opportunity for practical learning experiences and real-world research.

• Aeronautical Engineering
• Astronautical Engineering
• Basic Sciences
• Behavioral Sciences
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering—ranked #12 in Undergraduate Civil Engineering Programs by U.S. News
• Computer Engineering—ranked #5 in Undergraduate Computer Engineering Programs by U.S. News
• Computer Science
• Cyber Science
• Economics
• Electrical Engineering—ranked #8 in Undergraduate Electrical Engineering Programs by U.S. News
• English
• Foreign Area Studies
• General Engineering
• Geospatial Science
• History
• Humanities
• Legal Studies
• Management
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering—ranked #6 in Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Programs by U.S. News
• Meteorology
• Military & Strategic Studies
• Operations Research
• Philosophy
• Physics
• Political Science
• Social Sciences
• Space Operations
• Systems Engineering

If more than one of these topics appeals to your child, you can be sure that many cadets at the Air Force Academy double major, better preparing them for illustrious military and civilian careers.

In addition, cadets have the option of minoring in one of eight foreign languages, philosophy, religious studies, or nuclear weapons and strategy.

USAFA Class of 2024 Acceptance Rate

Only 2,588 of the 10,747 applications which were vying for a position in the Air Force Academy’s Class of 2024 made it to the “Qualified Candidate” stage, and only 1,416 were finally accepted into the USAFA.

Thus, only 9,197 individuals made it into the candidate pool. This results in an acceptance rate of 10.7%. Candidates for the Class of 2023 were accepted at a nearly equal rate the year before.

SAT, ACT, GPA, and class rank of accepted Air Force Academy applicants

For entering members of the Class of 2024, the mid-50% SAT range was 1220-1420, while the mid-50% ACT range was 29-33. A 1,364 was the average SAT score.

According to class rank, 54.6% of high school graduates placed in the top decile, 81.6% in the top quartile, and 97.5% in the top half of their graduating class. Unweighted GPAs ranged from 3.86 to 4.0, with 24.4% receiving a perfect score.

Admissions Trends & Notes – Class of 2024

• The sons or daughters of service academy graduates made up about 6% of the Class of 2024.
• Of the 1,145 first-year cadets enrolled in 2020–21, 730 are non–minorities.
• Athletes recruited for the Class of 2024 totalled 276.
• First-generation college students made up 181 of the incoming cadets.
• Women made up 30.2% of the first-year class, an increase from 26.5% in 2005.
• 4% and 8% of attendees, respectively, were salutatorians and valedictorians of their high school classes.

The Air Force Academy’s Unique Nomination/Application Requirements

It is not necessary to get Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Page and Sergey Brin’s formal support to apply to Stanford’s computer science department.

That seems peculiar, doesn’t it? All applicants to the Air Force Academy must seek a formal “nomination” from one of the sources listed below before submitting their applications:

• A member of the U.S. Senate
• A member of the U.S. House of Representatives
• The President of the United States (for children of active duty, reserve, retired military parents only)
• The Vice-President of the United States
• Your AFROTC or AFJROTC Unit
• Your commander (for active service members)
• Through being a child of a deceased/disabled veteran

Applying to both your senators and your local member of the house of representatives will boost your chances of receiving a single nomination, even if receiving more than one Congressional nomination will not be advantageous to you.

Five of a representative’s or senator’s constituents may be enrolled in the Air Force Academy at any given time (which averages out to just over one per year).

Air Force Academy Admissions

The admissions requirements for the U.S. Air Force Academy, one of the country’s most prestigious and lucrative institutions, look for extraordinary individuals brimming with leadership potential.

In the Academy’s classes, be prepared to establish your legitimacy. Your prior academic performance is evaluated using a combination of your class rank and GPA.

Consider taking the following high school classes to increase your chances of getting hired by the Academy:

• Four years of English with a college prep class in writing
• Four years of math, including geometry, algebra, trigonometry and pre-calculus
• Four years of science, including biology, chemistry and physics
• Three years of social studies with a U.S. history course
• Two years of a modern foreign language
• One year of computer study

The top 3 per cent of their high school class on average in recent classes. SAT scores at the Air Force Academy are highly competitive as well.

The Air Force Academy’s tuition is free, making it even more tempting to the best students in the nation.

Graduates commit to five years of duty in the U.S. Air Force or Space Force, plus at least three years in the inactive reserve.

The current military commitment for pilots is ten years, starting when the second lieutenant begins flight training.

Air Force Academy Graduation

There are receptions, award presentations, baccalaureate services, concerts, parades, air displays, and commissioning ceremonies throughout graduation week. The graduation ceremony takes place at Falcon Stadium to round off the week.

The Vice President, the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of the Air Force take turns speaking. Cadets throw their caps into the air as the storied Thunderbirds soar overhead as the ceremony closes.

Air Force Academy application timeline

The application process for the Air Force Academy has its schedule. Be informed of the upcoming deadlines to improve your child’s chances of completing a successful Air Force Academy application.

• December 1 of senior year: Deadline to apply for the Summer Seminar. (optional)
• March 1: The Pre-Candidate Questionnaire opens up.
• June: Summer Seminar sessions take place.
• July 1: Qualified Pre-Candidates will receive their Candidate Kit and online application, along with a personalized deadline to submit all materials.
• December 31: Deadline to submit the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire.
• January 31: Final deadline to submit all materials included in the Candidate application.
• February—April: Applications are reviewed and decisions are released.
• May 1: National College Decision Day.
• June: The U.S. Air Force Academy welcomes its incoming class.

As you can see, navigating the multiple steps of the Air Force Academy admission process requires initiative and organisation.

The best way to help your child as they work to fulfil their Air Force Academy ambitions is to keep them on schedule and track.

Admissions Chances

One of the most exclusive universities in the nation, the United States Air Force Academy has high average GPAs and SAT/ACT scores along with a low acceptance rate.

The Air Force Academy, however, has a comprehensive admissions process that considers elements other than your grades and test results.

The U.S. Air Force Academy considers more than your GPA when making admission decisions. All applicants must complete an interview and a physical fitness test before being accepted into the academy. Successful candidates exhibit leadership potential, significant extracurricular activity, and athletic prowess.

The blue and green dots in the graph above reflect accepted pupils. You can see that most of the chosen candidates had SAT combined scores of 1250 or above (ERW+M), ACT composite scores over 26, and high school grades of “B+” or higher. Your chances of acceptance are enhanced if you have superior grades and test results.

When to apply for an Air Force Academy nomination

While the deadline for submitting your nomination form to the Air Force Academy is January 31 of your senior year, it is suggested to begin contacting your Members of Congress (MOC) in the 11th grade.

The online vice presidential nomination form goes live on March 1 and expires on January 31 of the following year.

Each MOC nominating office’s deadlines are different. Most will enable you to submit your applications as early as the second semester of your junior year.

Some members of the HOR and the Senate have application deadlines in September of your senior year, while others have a later November deadline.

Who actually gets into The Air Force Academy?

Let’s examine the USAFA Class of 2024’s demographics, starting with ethnicity:

• Caucasian/White: 62.7%
• Asian American: 13.6% (including those who identify as two or more races)
• Hispanic: 13.6%
• African American: 9% (including those who identify as two or more races)

Men enrol in college in significantly greater numbers than women, according to the gender split:

• Men: 70%
• Women: 30%

The 2020–21 first-year class undertook the following extracurricular activities while they were still in high school:

• Student Body President: 10%
• School Publication: 12%
• Debate: 7%
• Drama: 10%
• Boy/Girl Scouts: 19%
• Varsity Athletics: 81%
• Music: 29%
• Civil Air Patrol: 10%
• JROTC: 15%
• National Honor Society: 67%

Geographically, the Class of 2024’s cadets came from all 50 U.S. states, and 15 international students were also accepted.

Famous Air Force Academy Graduates

• Col. Karol Bobko, class of 1959, first graduate in space, piloting the space shuttle Challenger in April 1983.
• Chesley Burnett “Sully” Sullenberger III, class of 1973, is known as the hero pilot of the commercial flight that ended in the Hudson River after a bird strike. All 155 passengers survived in 2009.
• Maj. Susan J. Helms, class of 1980, first female graduate to fly in space as a mission specialist aboard Endeavor in 1993.
• Capt. Nicole Malachowski, class of 1996, the first woman to become a Thunderbird pilot with the team 2005-2007.

The United States Air Force Academy’s “Yield Rate”

If they are not serious about going, very few people apply to the U.S. Air Force Academy (or any service academy).

The yield rate at The Air Force Academy, or the proportion of accepted students who choose to enrol, as a percentage of all admitted students, is 81%.

Comparable numbers can be found at other high-yield colleges like Harvard (83%) and MIT (78%). In summary, very few applicants endure the arduous and protracted admissions process at The Air Force Academy to enrol elsewhere.

Tips for Applying to the Air Force Academy  

You should be aware of the following if you intend to join the almost 11,000 USAFA applicants for the upcoming admissions cycle:

• The USAFA places the rigour of your coursework, your GPA, your class rank, your scores on standardised tests, your application essays, your recommendations, your interview, your extracurricular activities, your character/personal qualities, your place of residence, and your level of demonstrated interest above all other considerations.
• The admissions committee also considers talent/ability and volunteerism as “essential” when assessing applications.
• Interviews are required and an essential part of any application. A liaison officer from the Air Force Academy conducts interviews (ALO).
• The ALO will evaluate your degree of interest, leadership potential, core values, interest in the Air Force, communication abilities, organisational skills, self-confidence, and other comparable qualities during the interview. You should be ready to discuss the academy’s honour code and show that you have
• researched why the academy is the ideal post-secondary residence for you.
• The Air Force Academy does give “demonstrated interest” serious consideration, so your interactions with your ALO, a member of Congress, etc., will be considered.
• Submit your preliminary application starting in the middle of March in your junior year. You have till December 31 at the latest to submit this.
• After your junior year of high school, the USAFA allows you to apply for the Summer Seminar. Although it is not necessary, it is advised that you complete the application process. January 15 is the last day to apply for the summer seminar.
• A Candidate Fitness Assessment, which can be given by your gym teacher, JROTC instructor, or Service Academy Liaison Officer, must be scheduled and completed. This exercise includes push-ups, a mile run, ab crunches, a 40-yard shuttle run, pull-ups, and a basketball throw from a kneeling position.
• Additionally, you must be in good health to be considered.
• Make sure you invest enough time and energy into the essays that the United States Air Force Academy requires. The questions for the 2020–21 cycle were as follows:

(1) Describe a setback or moral problem you have encountered. How did you solve the issue? How did the result impact you? What matters most is what you discovered about yourself and how you would respond in a similar circumstance in the future. (maximum of 3000 characters, 400–500 words)

(2) What qualities, experiences, viewpoints, and unique skills do you have that might benefit the Air Force Academy’s students, faculty, or staff? (maximum of 3000 characters, 400–500 words)

(3) Please include any background information or additional information you feel will help us evaluate your application. (maximum of 3000 characters, 400–500 words)

College Transitions’ USAFA Essay Tips

Self-reflection on your reasons for choosing this career/life path and what it means to you to be an Air Force officer is one of the most excellent methods to get ready to write these essays.

As you prepare these responses, it is best to consult with current and former military members, mentors, teachers, and your family.

Leaving an unmistakable impression that you are a responsible and mature young man or woman who realises the responsibilities and sacrifice that lay ahead is more important than leaving a solid impression with your responses.

There is no need for hyperbole or grandiosity in the accounts of your failures, moral issues, and unique life experiences and talents.

Air Force Academy application steps

Like other elite universities, the Air Force Academy’s application procedure is precise. You don’t want to miss something important about your child’s application.

Everything that must be done or turned in for your child to be admitted to the Air Force Academy is mentioned below.

Before the application:

• Arrange a meeting with their Admissions Liaison Officer to demonstrate their interest in the Academy.
• Attend the on-campus Summer Seminar. (Optional)

Pre-candidate application:

• Submit the Pre-Candidate Questionnaire, where they self-report GPA, class rank, SAT/ACT scores, and extracurriculars.

Candidate application:

• Submit official high school transcripts.
• Complete their Extracurricular Activities Record.
• Write the required Air Force Academy essays.
• Obtain three teacher evaluations.
  • One must be their 11th or 12th grade English instructor.
  • One must be their 11th or 12th grade Math instructor.
• Seek a Congressional nomination from their U.S. representative, U.S. senator, or the Vice President.
• Pass the Candidate Fitness Assessment.
• Complete an admissions interview with their Liaison Officer.
• Pass the Medical Evaluation.

Organization, forethought, and perseverance are needed to apply several components to the Air Force Academy. It’s the initial evaluation of your child’s potential to excel as a cadet.

How hard it is to get into the Air Force Academy?

There are numerous locations where admission statistics state that the USAFA has an admittance rate of about 10%. This is true if you count the tens of thousands of students who ask about admission.

In actuality, between 50% and 60% of qualified applicants receive offers of admission. We prefer those odds! What qualifications are required? Let’s deconstruct it:

Should I Apply to The Air Force Academy?

The Air Force Academy’s long queue of applicants is vying for space for a purpose. The USAFA has a remarkable 6:1 cadet-to-faculty ratio and a group of committed instructors who are frequently rated as among the most approachable of any institution in the nation.

There are 32 majors available, seven of which have “engineering” in the name. This works out perfectly because the Air Force Academy offers one of the best undergraduate engineering programmes in the nation.

Where is the Air Force Academy located?

Colorado Springs, Colorado, home to the Air Force Academy, is tucked away at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Residents of Colorado Springs look forward to the snow and the chance to participate in winter activities at nearby ski resorts during the winter.

According to U.S. News and World Report’s list of the Best Places to Live, Colorado Springs is ranked as the sixth best place to live due to its natural beauty, plenty of recreational opportunities, and affordable cost of living.

Students who participate in sports are delighted to find that Colorado Springs, also known as Olympic City USA, is home to the United States Olympic Committee’s headquarters and the United States Olympic Training Center.

The Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame is located in Colorado Springs and has also played host to the World Figure Skating Championships five times.

Denver is just an hour’s drive away if students occasionally wish for a larger metro area and cultural centre; it’s the ideal way to spend a free Sunday as an Air Force Academy cadet.

Air Force Academy tuition and scholarships

Students at the Air Force Academy do not pay a penny of the estimated $104,000 cost of enrollment for a single year.

Cadets agree to serve in the Air Force for a minimum of eight years following graduation in exchange for receiving free education from a top-tier institution. Of this total, at least five years must be spent on active duty, while the final three years may be spent in the reserves.

Annual Fees

Most institutions impose yearly fees to cover upkeep costs for amenities like libraries, computer labs, athletic facilities, and more.

Remember that there can be additional fees for participating in particular activities, such as joining a fraternity or sorority or participating in extracurricular activities like athletics.

Numerous institutions provide tools so that students who would be unable to attend due to cost can find ways to reduce or eliminate these costs.

United States Air Force Academy Net Cost

The actual cost of attending college for a year is the college’s net price. Any scholarships, grants, or other financial aid that does not require repayment are subtracted from the overall cost to determine the net cost. Student loans must be repaid. Hence they are not included in the calculation.

We can subtract the typical financial aid package from the overall anticipated costs for Air Force Academy students to get at the estimated net cost.

The net cost may change depending on a student’s need and the financial aid package they were given.

The expected net cost, not only the sticker price of tuition, should be considered when determining if a school would fit within your financial constraints.

Estimate your net cost before excluding a school just because it does not meet your budget because frequently, the institutions with the highest tuition also offer the most substantial aid packages.

The anticipated expenditures can be reduced by taking the average financial aid package out of them to arrive at a figure that might make attending the Air Force Academy more affordable.

How much will it cost you to attend the Air Force Academy? The response is based on several variables.

To assist prospective students and their families in understanding the actual cost of attending a certain college based on their financial condition, colleges are required, as of 2011, to offer a net price calculator on their websites. The net cost calculator for the Air Force Academy is available online.

Location & Contact

Final thoughts

Your child’s entrance into the Air Force Academy will lead to lifetime opportunities. But even the most talented students and athletes will find it difficult to attend this elite military academy because of the intense competition.

You can increase your child’s chances of being accepted to the Air Force Academy and starting a distinguished career by implementing the tips and advice we’ve provided.

ALSO CLICK = University Of Cambridge Acceptance Rate 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026

air force academy acceptance rate FAQs

Q.1 Is it hard to get into Air Force Academy?

ANS. 11.4% of applicants are accepted at the United States Air Force Academy. Only 11 out of every 100 applications are accepted.

This demonstrates how picky the school is. To get beyond their initial filters and demonstrate your academic readiness, it’s crucial to meet their GPA and SAT/ACT requirements.

Q.2 What GPA is required for the Air Force Academy?

ANS. Core academic requirements and a major Must keep a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00, including 2.00 in major-specific coursework and the academic core.

Q.3 How many get accepted to Air Force Academy?

ANS. The acceptance rate for the United States Air Force Academy is under 11%, making it exceptionally selective.

Students with an SAT score of 1230–1440 or an ACT score of 29–34 are admitted to the United States Air Force Academy.

Q.4 Is the Air Force Academy worth it?

ANS. But since graduating brings some reputation in both the military and the civilian sphere, most people would agree that the experience was worthwhile.

Anyone interested in a career as a pilot should consider the Academy because it is much simpler to obtain pilot training slots there than it is through ROTC.

Q.5 Is Air Force Academy free?

ANS. Despite costing more than $416,000, we provide our cadet’s free education at the Academy. Your commitment to serving as an Air and Space Forces officer is all that is asked in exchange.

Q.6 What is the salary of an Air Force?

ANS. The average yearly income for members of the Indian Air Force India is 8.0 Lakhs, with salaries ranging from 2.5 Lakhs to 12.0 Lakhs. Salary projections are based on 85 of the most recent salaries from the Indian Air Force.