Your chances of getting into United States Air Force Academy
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at USAFA is 16.2%. Its admission rate is the 2nd lowest in Colorado and the 56th lowest the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into USAFA and can you get accepted?
USAFA is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 1,356 out of the 8,353 who applied were admitted.
United States Air Force Academy typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.81. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. Of those applicants who were admitted, 78% elected to enroll. This indicates that the school is the top choice for most students who apply.
Can you get into USAFA?
16% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.
Admission Requirements in Brief
To have the best chance of getting into to United States Air Force Academy you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.81 or better
- Earn A- grades in high school
- Score 1400 on the SAT
- Score 30 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class
USAFA GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into United States Air Force Academy?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into USAFA are to have around a 3.81 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.
Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as USAFA is a very selective school.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at USAFA is 3.81 on the 4.0 scale. 29% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #4 in Colorado for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022
USAFA SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 650 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 660 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1310 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 730 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 750 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1480 |
| Average SAT Score | 1400
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to United States Air Force Academy?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at USAFA is 1400 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1310-1480. Students who get into United States Air Force Academy score in the top 11 percent of all SAT test takers.. USAFA ranks #2 in the state of Colorado and #95 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1400 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. USAFA regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1310 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1310, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1220, but scores this low are outside the normal range. 51 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1400 SAT score range.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by SAT Score
The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1395, you have around a 16% chance of being admitted. A 1480 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 27% chance of getting in.
USAFA ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 27 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 27 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 28 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 34 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 32 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 33 |
| Average ACT Score | 30
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into USAFA?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to USAFA is 30, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 33. The school ranks #4 in Colorado and #117 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 30. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.
33 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to United States Air Force Academy.
Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting classChance of Acceptance by ACT Score
Here are your predicted chances of getting into USAFA for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 30 score has around 16% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 29% with a 33 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
53% of United States Air Force Academy freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 52.8% |
| Top 25% of class | 81.1% |
| Top 50% of class | 97% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 2,441 | 5,912 | 8,353 |
| Accepted | 393 | 963 | 1,356 |
| Acceptance Rate | 16% | 16% | 16% |
| Enrolled | 301 | 755 | 1,056 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 77% | 78% | 78% |
Fall 2024 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 53 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Dec 31, 2024.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to United States Air Force Academy is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to United States Air Force Academy and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Required to be considered for admission |
| High School GPA | Required to be considered for admission |
| High School Class Rank | Required to be considered for admission |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
| Recommendations | Required to be considered for admission |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Not considered for admission, even if submitted |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | No |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because USAFA is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.81 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1400 on the SAT and optimally 1480 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 30 to have a competitive chance of getting in.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to United States Air Force Academy often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=128328 IPEDS survey data for United States Air Force Academy.
Last updated February 24, 2024