Your chances of getting into United States Coast Guard Academy
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate at United States Coast Guard Academy is 23.9%. Its admission rate is the 3rd lowest in Connecticut and the 86th lowest the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into United States Coast Guard Academy and can you get accepted?
United States Coast Guard Academy 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 420 out of the 1,760 who applied were admitted.
United States Coast Guard Academy typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.79. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. Of those applicants who were admitted, 69% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.
Can you get into United States Coast Guard Academy?
24% 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 Coast Guard Academy you should:
- Have a high school GPA of 3.79 or better
- Earn A- grades in high school
- Score 1260 on the SAT
- Score 28 on the ACT
- Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class
United States Coast Guard Academy GPA
GPA Requirements & Average GPA
What GPA do you need to get into United States Coast Guard Academy?
GPA Requirements
The GPA requirements for getting into United States Coast Guard Academy are to have around a 3.79 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 United States Coast Guard Academy is a very selective school.
Average GPA
The average unweighted GPA at United States Coast Guard Academy is 3.79 on the 4.0 scale. 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 Connecticut for highest average GPA.
Importance of GPA
Since United States Coast Guard Academy is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.
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
United States Coast Guard Academy SAT Scores
Testing Requirements
Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to United States Coast Guard Academy. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 68% of students submitted SAT scores and 38% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 580 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 580 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 1160 |
| SAT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 680 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 685 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 1365 |
| Average SAT Score | 1260
|
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to United States Coast Guard Academy?
Average Score & Range
The average SAT score at United States Coast Guard Academy is 1260 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1160-1365. Students who get into United States Coast Guard Academy score in the top 31 percent of all SAT test takers.. United States Coast Guard Academy ranks #7 in the state of Connecticut and #241 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
Score for Acceptance
You should target scoring 1260 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. United States Coast Guard Academy regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1160 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1160, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1060, but scores this low are outside the normal range.
Score Submission Requirements
United States Coast Guard Academy is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 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 1262, you have around a 24% chance of being admitted. A 1365 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 38% chance of getting in.
United States Coast Guard Academy ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 25th Percentile | 25 |
| Math 25th Percentile | 26 |
| Composite 25th Percentile | 26 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| Reading 75th Percentile | 33 |
| Math 75th Percentile | 29 |
| Composite 75th Percentile | 31 |
| Average ACT Score | 28
|
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for students to get into United States Coast Guard Academy?
Score Range
The average ACT score for admitted students to United States Coast Guard Academy is 28, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 26 and 31. The school ranks #7 in Connecticut and #196 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 28. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 26 and score in the score in the top 18 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 24.
38 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to United States Coast Guard Academy.
Score Submission Requirements
You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as United States Coast Guard Academy is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".
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 United States Coast Guard Academy for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 28 score has around 24% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 41% with a 31 ACT score.
High School Class Rank
87% of United States Coast Guard Academy freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 47% are in the top ten percent.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 47% |
| Top 25% of class | 87% |
| Top 50% of class | 98% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 501 | 1,259 | 1,760 |
| Accepted | 176 | 244 | 420 |
| Acceptance Rate | 35% | 19% | 24% |
| Enrolled | 125 | 164 | 289 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 71% | 67% | 69% |
Fall 2025 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 21 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to United States Coast Guard Academy is $0. The school is free to apply to.
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to United States Coast Guard Academy and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) |
| High School GPA | Required to be considered for admission |
| High School Class Rank | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Not required for admission, but considered if submitted |
| Recommendations | Required to be considered for admission |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Required to be considered for admission |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | No |
| Dual Credit | No |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Admission Requirements Summary
Because United States Coast Guard Academy is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.79 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1260 on the SAT and optimally 1365 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 28 to have a competitive chance of getting in.
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to United States Coast Guard Academy often consider these colleges
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=130624 IPEDS survey data for United States Coast Guard Academy.
Last updated February 24, 2024