United States Coast Guard Academy Admission Requirements
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- 4 Year
- New London, Connecticut
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United States Coast Guard Academy Admission Overview
United States Coast Guard Academy admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Connecticut. Last year United States Coast Guard Academy admitted 22.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.79 GPA (A-) and SAT 1240-1400 / ACT 27-32. United States Coast Guard Academy is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
United States Coast Guard Academy is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
United States Coast Guard Academy 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 Coast Guard Academy
Acceptance Rate
The United States Coast Guard Academy acceptance rate is 22.4%. Last year, only 436 of 1,943 applicants were admitted. That is the 3rd lowest acceptance rate in Connecticut and the 78th lowest in 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, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.
United States Coast Guard Academy typically 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 admitted, 66% enrolled. That suggests United States Coast Guard Academy is a top choice for many students who are offered a place.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
United States Coast Guard Academy GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.79Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.79
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at United States Coast Guard Academy typically have around a 3.79 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 3.79 average does not by itself determine admission. United States Coast Guard Academy is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
The school ranks #4 in Connecticut 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
United States Coast Guard Academy SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1240-1400Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
56%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 620
- Math 620
- Composite 1240
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 700
- Math 700
- Composite 1400
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at United States Coast Guard Academy typically score around a 1320 SAT (middle 50% 1240–1400) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 90th percentile nationally. United States Coast Guard Academy ranks #7 in the state of Connecticut and #176 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1240 to 1400
Matching last year's 1240–1400 range does not by itself determine admission.
SAT policy
United States Coast Guard Academy is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1320 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. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
United States Coast Guard Academy 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.
27-32Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
27%25th Percentile Scores
- English 26
- Math 26
- Composite 27
75th Percentile Scores
- English 33
- Math 31
- Composite 32
Average ACT
Incoming testers at United States Coast Guard Academy typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 27–32) 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. United States Coast Guard Academy places #7 among colleges in Connecticut and #169 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 27 to 32
Landing in last year's 27–32 band does not, on its own, decide admission.
ACT policy
You may apply to United States Coast Guard Academy without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
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. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
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.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the United States Coast Guard Academy 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 Coast Guard Academy and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Fall 2027 Application Deadline
Applications Due
Jan 15, 2027Days left to Apply
137Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to United States Coast Guard 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
United States Coast Guard Academy is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 22.4% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.79 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1240-1400); otherwise withhold. 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 Coast Guard Academy often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=130624.
GPA calculator: United States Coast Guard Academy GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026