United States Air Force Academy

    USAF Academy, CO · Public · Liberal arts / baccalaureate college

    SAT middle 50% (admitted students)
    1230–1440
    Median ~1340
    Acceptance rate
    14%
    Enrollment
    4,114
    ACT middle 50%
    26–33

    Current admissions guidance for United States Air Force Academy

    The United States Air Force Academy is a federal service academy in Colorado. Admission combines academics with medical, fitness, nomination, and character requirements, so its process differs substantially from a standard college application.

    SAT/ACT policy

    USAFA requires an SAT or ACT result and considers the highest scores it receives. Its current admissions guide reports middle-50% ranges of 650–730 for SAT Reading and Writing and 650–740 for SAT Math.

    Application deadlines

    The pre-candidate questionnaire opens March 1. Nomination deadlines depend on the nominating source, and candidates should complete testing early enough for scores to arrive before the winter selection process.

    How to use your SAT score

    • Plan to test because SAT or ACT results are a required part of the candidate file.
    • Use USAFA's section ranges as the better target than a single composite score.
    • Retesting can help because the Academy considers an applicant's highest received results.

    Admissions details checked July 17, 2026. Verify policies before applying: Air Force Academy admissions guide · Air Force Academy application steps.

    How United States Air Force Academy compares

    • The ~1340 SAT midpoint ranks #55 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #4 of 5 in CO.
    • Its 14% acceptance rate is more selective than 92% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
    • Reported section midpoints skew 30 points toward Math (690 Math vs 660 Reading and Writing).
    National SAT rank
    #55 of 197
    SAT rank in CO
    #4 of 5
    More selective than
    92% of ranked colleges

    What the numbers say about United States Air Force Academy

    • The reported middle 50% spans 210 points, from 1230 to 1440. A planning score near or above 1480 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
    • The reported section midpoints are 660 Reading and Writing and 690 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
    • The Scorecard snapshot reports a 14% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
    • Reported outcomes include a 88% completion rate and — in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.

    Tuition and outcomes

    Tuition (in-state)
    Tuition (out-of-state)
    Median earnings 10 years after entry
    4-year completion rate (150% time)
    88%

    Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; repository snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.

    How your SAT score lines up

    The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1230 and 1440. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.

    • 1480 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1440 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
    • 1340 SAT (median): Within the upper half of the reported range.
    • 1230 SAT (reported 25th percentile): Within the lower half of the reported range.
    At or above 1440

    Strong relative score

    At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.

    1230–1430

    Within the reported range

    Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.

    Below 1230

    Below the reported range

    Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.

    Compare to other colleges →

    Colleges with similar SAT scores

    Ranked by proximity to United States Air Force Academy's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.

    Scroll horizontally to view all columns →

    CollegeLocationSAT middle 50%Acceptance rate
    Fairfield UniversityFairfield, CT1260–139033%
    Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA1240–142061%
    The University of the SouthSewanee, TN1260–139057%
    Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA1240–144079%
    University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT1210–144052%
    Clemson UniversityClemson, SC1240–141038%

    FAQs

    What SAT score do I need for United States Air Force Academy?

    United States Air Force Academy's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1230–1440, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1480 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.

    What is United States Air Force Academy's acceptance rate?

    United States Air Force Academy's most recently reported acceptance rate is approximately 14%.

    How much does it cost to attend United States Air Force Academy?

    United States Air Force Academy does not publish a standard tuition figure in the most recent Scorecard data.

    Is United States Air Force Academy test-optional?

    USAFA requires an SAT or ACT result and considers the highest scores it receives. Its current admissions guide reports middle-50% ranges of 650–730 for SAT Reading and Writing and 650–740 for SAT Math.

    When are United States Air Force Academy's application deadlines?

    The pre-candidate questionnaire opens March 1. Nomination deadlines depend on the nominating source, and candidates should complete testing early enough for scores to arrive before the winter selection process.

    Official site: www.usafa.edu