Students selected to attend the Air Force Academy may join either the Air Force or the Space Force when they graduate.
One of five U.S. service academies, the Air Force Academy's establishment in 1954 closely followed the service's own creation just seven years earlier. A ranch occupied the first parcel of land the government acquired to ultimately cobble together today's 18,500-acre site, just to the north of Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains.
Students who are admitted receive free tuition along with room, board, medical and dental care, and base pay equal to a third of that of a second lieutenant, $1,339.50 for calendar year 2024. Expenses come out of that, and as of the 2024-2025 academic year, the academy estimated that would still amount to several hundred dollars in pay each month after deductions.
Cadets start their Air Force Academy journey at Basic Cadet Training, a six-week course intended to push "physical, emotional and mental limits" in preparation to join the Cadet Wing.
The academy's military-run airmanship programs set it apart from any other U.S. academic institution. The Air Force's 306th Flying Training Group runs the programs out of Davis Airfield, including soaring (glider training that most cadets start their freshman year and a hallmark of the skies above the academy), powered flight and parachuting.
Read Next: Military ROTC Programs
Cadets decide whether they will join the Air Force or the Space Force. Most Air Force Academy graduates become pilots, but many others select careers in scientific or technical fields, operations, logistics, mission support or other specialties.
Making up the academy are the 4,000 cadets who comprise the Cadet Wing, along with some 2,540 active-duty members and 1,900 civilians. The admission rate of applicants was just under 11.2% for freshmen who entered in 2024, according to information provided to Military.com.
Led by Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind, a 1991 graduate who became the academy's superintendent in August 2024, its mission is "to educate, train and inspire men and women to become leaders of character, motivated to lead the United States Air Force in service to our nation."
Getting into the Air Force Academy
To become an Air Force Academy cadet, a student must be at least 17 years old, but not yet 23, by July 1 of the year they would enter the school. For the most part, they must be U.S. citizens. The academy may admit up to 15 international cadets a year, but they must apply through their own governments. Candidates must be unmarried, with no dependents, and of "good moral character."
Students can start their application by activating an online portal account.
First considered "pre-candidates," high school juniors who wish to attend the Air Force Academy must fill out an online questionnaire on which they self-report their GPA, class rank and extracurricular activities. The pre-candidate questionnaire is open March 1-Dec. 31 of each year. After screening, they may receive the designation of "candidate."
They must also receive a nomination from one or more of the following: their representative in Congress, either of their state's U.S. senators or the U.S. vice president; or be eligible for a service-connected nomination as:
- a current Air Force member or reservist
- a Reserve Officers' Training Corps member
- or the child of a deceased or disabled veteran, prisoner of war, service member missing in action, civilian employee missing in action, Medal of Honor awardee or career military member.
Once named a candidate, the clock starts on the other elements of the application, some of which may take as long as six months to complete, including record submissions, a writing sample, a personal interview and a letter of recommendation in addition to other academic and physical requirements candidates must fulfill.
This application window closes Jan. 31, but students should stick to their individual deadlines given in their online portal account.
Learn More: Overview of Military Education Benefits
Academic and Character Requirements
The Air Force Academy looks for students with an "exceptional academic track record and strong leadership skills." Admissions officers combine a candidate's GPA and class rank, when available, to create a score called the "Prior Academic Record." When the class rank isn't available, the admissions officers do a different evaluation.
Additionally, students must take the ACT or SAT. They may take either test as many times as they wish; the Air Force Academy will apply the student's highest score.
On the SAT, those who score below 620 on the evidence-based reading and writing portion, or below 580 on the math portion -- or below 24 on the English and reading portion and below 25 on the math and science portion of the ACT -- probably won't receive a direct selection but may be eligible for other avenues.
Candidates must sign a "drug and alcohol abuse certificate."
The academy also assigns scores according to students' participation in extracurriculars, including athletic as well as nonathletic activities such as work and community service. While low participation might normally render a candidate "noncompetitive" in extracurriculars, special circumstances may result in exceptions.
In the Class of 2028, with 1,128 admitted, the average GPA was 3.86; 82% were varsity athletes; 53% were in the top 10% of their graduating class (not all candidates reported class rank); 47% were members of the National Honor Society; 18% were in band or orchestra; and 7% were student government leaders.
Physical and Medical Requirements
The Air Force Academy requires cadet candidates to prove they're "fit to meet the physical demands ingrained in Academy life."
The Air Force Academy advises cadet candidates to practice the six events of the Candidate Fitness Assessment ahead of time. Candidates are responsible for finding a qualified adjudicator to administer the test, such as a physical education teacher, a military academy liaison officer, a military officer or a Junior ROTC instructor.
The test consists of six events, with scores averaging:
- basketball throw (women 42 feet, men 69 feet)
- pull-ups for both women (2) and men (12); or the flexed-arm hang for women (31 seconds) who can't do one pull-up
- shuttle run (women 9.4 seconds, men 8.1 seconds)
- modified sit-ups (women 78, men 81)
- push-ups (women 41, men 62)
- mile run (women 7:30, men 6:29)
Candidates are also advised to start lining up their Defense Department medical exam at least four months ahead of the deadline, because the process takes time. Eyesight must be correctable to at least 20/40, along with weight and other requirements.
After Graduating from the Air Force Academy
Air Force Academy graduates become second lieutenants in either the Air Force or the Space Force. The Space Force gets more new officers from the academy than any other source.
Cadets may opt to prioritize their military career choices in the second semester of their junior year, with a special interview required of those wishing to join the Space Force, an academy spokesperson told Military.com. Early in their senior year at an event known as “Job Drop,” cadets learn their career assignments, with about half going into flying careers and about 10% into the Space Force.
Some may enter medical or law school or pursue an advanced degree.
Those who want to become pilots or combat systems officers and meet the physical and medical requirements "are considered for flying training and may be selected to fill available openings" flying transport, bomber, fighter, multirole or special operations aircraft.
They serve on active duty for at least five years, followed by another three years as either a drilling reservist or member of the Individual Ready Reserve. Many go on to serve 20 years, when they're eligible to retire, or longer, and they often serve lifelong careers, reaching the highest ranks of the Air Force and Space Force.
Interested in Joining the Military?
We can put you in touch with recruiters from the different military branches. Learn about the benefits of serving your country, paying for school, military career paths, and more: Sign up now and hear from a recruiter near you.
