Academy Dreams
Aerial view of the parade field and central cadet area at West Point

Compare

Compare the five academies

The same questions, answered for each academy from its own pages. Cells link to the source.

Parade field and Washington Hall, West Point. Photo: USMA via Wikimedia Commons, Public domain (U.S. government work).

At a glance

USNAUSMAUSAFAUSCGAUSMMA
Acceptance rate8.8% Calculated
Class of 2029 · Offers ÷ applications started (1,416 ÷ 16,077) · USNA Class Portrait		12.5% Calculated
Class of 2028 · Admitted ÷ applicants in the Common Data Set (1,534 ÷ 12,316) · USMA Common Data Set 2024–25		16.2% Calculated
Class of 2026 · Admitted ÷ applicants in the Common Data Set (1,356 ÷ 8,353) · USAFA Common Data Set 2022–23		19.9% Calculated
Year not stated · Appointments ÷ completed applications (368 ÷ 1,853) · USCGA Typical Class Profile		27–32% Published
Year not stated · Range published by USMMA · USMMA Admissions
LocationAnnapolis, MarylandWest Point, New YorkColorado Springs, ColoradoNew London, ConnecticutKings Point, New York
Graduates serve inNavy and Marine CorpsArmyAir Force and Space ForceCoast GuardMaritime industry or any armed service
Federal departmentDepartment of the NavyDepartment of the ArmyDepartment of the Air ForceDepartment of Homeland SecurityDepartment of Transportation
NominationRequiredRequiredRequiredNot requiredRequired (congressional only)
First summerPlebe SummerCadet Basic TrainingBasic Cadet Training (6 weeks)Swab SummerIndoctrination (“Indoc”)
AthleticsNCAA Division I (Patriot League primary) ↗NCAA Division I ↗NCAA Division I ↗NCAA Division III ↗19 varsity sports ↗
Service commitmentAt least 5 years as an officer ↗5 years active duty plus 3 in the reserve ↗At least 8 years, 5 of them active duty (pilots longer) ↗5 years ↗Maritime industry plus reserve, or active duty: several options ↗

Each academy defines applicants differently, so these rates aren’t a direct side-by-side comparison. See Admissions data for each figure with its definition.

Cross-academy comparison: deadlines (Class of 2031)

USNA West Point USAFA USCGA USMMA
Application opens April 20261 Feb. 15, 20262 Mar. 1, 2026, PCQ3 July 154 May 1, 20265
Preliminary-step cutoff Dec. 31, 2026, no new applications after6 not found on an official source Dec. 31, 2026, PCQ3 n/a (single application) not found on an official source
Early option Rolling6 not found on an official source Rolling, individual deadlines3 Early Action Oct. 154 Conditional offers from Sept.7
Final application deadline Jan. 31, 20276 Jan. 31, 20278 Individual, posted in portal; test scores Jan. 313 Jan. 15, 20274 Feb. 1, 20275
Nomination deadline to academy (VP application for USNA/USMA/USAFA: Jan. 31, 2027 per White House) Sources notify by end of Jan.9 not found on an official source VP and military-affiliated: Jan. 3110 None required11 Received by Jan. 315
Medical deadline not found on an official source Complete July 1 – Apr. 12 Waiver unlikely if not requested by Apr. 112 Exams by Feb. 15 (EA) / Apr. 1 (RA); qualified by May 14 Qualified by Apr. 167
Notification Most by Apr. 156 not found on an official source Most by Apr. 213 EA by Dec. 23; RA by Apr. 14 not found on an official source
Reply by May 16 not found on an official source May 13 May 14 May 113
  1. PAO
  2. Timeline
  3. 11–12
  4. Apply
  5. 8 Steps
  6. Apply
  7. Selection
  8. Steps
  9. FAQ
  10. Noms
  11. Req.
  12. Req.
  13. Admissions

Cross-academy comparison: requirements

USNA West Point USAFA USCGA USMMA
Age 17 to not past 23rd birthday on July 11 17–22 on July 12 17 to not past 23rd birthday on July 13 17–22 on last Monday in June4 17 to not yet 25 by July 15
Citizenship U.S. by July 11 U.S.2 U.S.3 U.S.4 U.S. (limited intl. exceptions)5
Marital/dependents Unmarried; not pregnant; no dependents1 Unmarried; no obligation to support children2 Unmarried; no dependents3 Unmarried; no dependents or financial debt4 Not on usmma.edu; CRS lists for all academies6
Nomination Required1 Required7 Required8 Not required4 Required; congressional only, statewide5
Tests accepted SAT/ACT/CLT1 SAT/ACT/CLT, superscored2 ACT/CLT/SAT, superscored9 SAT/ACT4 SAT/ACT5
Fitness test 6-event CFA10 6-event CFA11 6-event CFA3 Own PFT/PFE: push-ups, plank, 1.5-mi; CFA not accepted12 CFA, 5 events listed5
Interview Required, BGO1 not found on an official source Required, ALO3 If requested13 not found on an official source
Medical DoDMERB1 DoDMERB14 DoDMERB3 DoDMERB; needed before an offer4 DoDMERB5
Junior summer program Summer Seminar: 2027 window TBD; $57515 SLE: Feb. 15–Apr. 15, 2027; $49516 Summer Seminar: Dec. 1, 2026–Jan. 15, 2027; $40017 AIM: 2027 not posted (2026: early Feb–Apr. 1; $750)18 none found; campus visits19
Liaison network Blue & Gold Officers20 Field Force / MALOs21 ALOs, via portal22 Academy Admissions Partners23 Admissions Field Reps24
  1. Apply
  2. Steps
  3. Req.
  4. Req.
  5. 8 Steps
  6. CRS
  7. Noms
  8. Noms
  9. 11–12
  10. CFA
  11. CFA
  12. PFT Guide
  13. Apply
  14. Medical
  15. NASS
  16. SLE
  17. SS
  18. AIM
  19. Visits
  20. BGO
  21. Volunteer
  22. Contact
  23. AAP
  24. 2017 news

Checked October 17–18, 2026. Confirm on each academy’s official page before you rely on a date.