USAFA Admission Requirements
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- USAF Academy, Colorado
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USAFA Admission Overview
USAFA admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Colorado. Last year USAFA admitted 14.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.81 GPA (A-) and SAT 1230-1440 / ACT 26-33. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
USAFA requires the SAT or ACT for 2026-27.
USAFA Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Very High
Admission difficulty for United States Air Force Academy
Acceptance Rate
The USAFA acceptance rate is 14.1%. Last year, only 1,435 of 10,187 applicants were admitted. That is the lowest acceptance rate in Colorado and the 49th lowest in 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, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.
United States Air Force Academy typically 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 admitted, 78% enrolled. That suggests USAFA is the top choice for most students who are offered a place.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
USAFA GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.81Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.81
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at USAFA typically have around a 3.81 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Matching last year's 3.81 average does not by itself determine admission.
29% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. 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
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
USAFA Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
The United States Air Force Academy requires SAT or ACT scores for an appointment in the 2026-27 cycle (Class of 2031). Official scores must be sent from the testing agency and should arrive by mid-February; USAFA counts only the highest scores across test dates. Beginning March 1, 2026, the Classic Learning Test is also accepted for Class of 2031 applications. A standardized test score is required to submit the Pre-candidate Questionnaire; PSAT or PreACT scores may be used at that first step until SAT, ACT, or CLT results are available.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://www.academyadmissions.com/requirements/academic/
USAFA SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1230-1440Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
60%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 620
- Math 610
- Composite 1230
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 710
- Math 730
- Composite 1440
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at USAFA typically score around a 1340 SAT (middle 50% 1230–1440) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 91st percentile nationally. USAFA ranks #4 in the state of Colorado and #153 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1230 to 1440
Matching last year's 1230–1440 range does not by itself determine admission.
SAT policy
You must send SAT or ACT for 2026-27. Confirm current rules on the school's site.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1340 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
USAFA ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
26-33Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
40%25th Percentile Scores
- English 25
- Math 26
- Composite 26
75th Percentile Scores
- English 34
- Math 32
- Composite 33
Average ACT
Incoming testers at USAFA typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 26–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. USAFA places #5 among colleges in Colorado and #168 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 26 to 33
Landing in last year's 26–33 band does not, on its own, decide admission.
ACT policy
ACT or SAT is required for 2026-27. Check the school's site for current rules.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and SAT or ACT compare with last year's enrolled class. This is not a personal probability of admission.
Open the USAFA chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
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: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2026 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Dec 31, 2026Days left to Apply
122Applicants have 122 days left until the Fall 2026 term applications are due on Dec 31, 2026.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to United States Air Force Academy is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
USAFA is test-required for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 14.1% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.81 GPA (about an A- average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to United States Air Force Academy often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=128328.
GPA calculator: United States Air Force Academy GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026