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Summary
United States Air Force Academy is a public institution that was founded in 1954. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,413, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 18,500 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. United States Air Force Academy's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 31. Its in-state tuition and fees are $0 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $0 (2011-12).
The United States Air Force Academy, commonly called Air Force, is a military service academy located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colo., about 60 miles from Denver. Students at Air Force, called cadets, adhere to a strict daily schedule that does not allow for much free time, though there are a number of extracurricular clubs and activities. Incoming cadets attend a five-week training program intended to prepare them for military life. Cadets are required to participate in athletics—either intercollegiate or intramural—and must pass a fitness test every semester. The Fighting Falcons, Air Force’s athletic teams, compete in NCAA’s Division I and are known for their traditional rivalries with fellow service academies Army and Navy.
Academics at Air Force center on a core curriculum that all cadets must complete. Although the core curriculum comprises the majority of the academic experience, cadets must also choose a specialized field of study from more than 30 possible majors. Military training continues throughout the four years at Air Force, including courses and instruction in aviation and airmanship. Air Force, like the other service academies, is governed by an honor code that states: "We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." Distinguished alumni include Gregg Popovich, head coach of the NBA San Antonio Spurs, and Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot made famous for safely landing a commercial flight in the Hudson River near New York City in 2009.
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The Air Force Academy was established in 1954 to train and motivate Air Force cadets pursuing careers in military. The academy emphasizes character building, military discipline, physical fitness, and academic excellence. An academy education builds valuable leadership skills in all areas. |
General Information
| School type | public, coed college |
| Year founded | 1954 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | semester |
| Setting | suburban |
| 2011 Endowment | $56,000,000 |
Applying
When applying to United States Air Force Academy, it's important to note the application deadline is January 31. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 31. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 10.8 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | most selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 10.8% |
| Application deadline | January 31 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | January 31 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at United States Air Force Academy is 8:1, and the school has 70.0 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at United States Air Force Academy include: Engineering; Social Sciences; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; and Biological and Biomedical Sciences. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 88.8 percent.
Student Life
United States Air Force Academy has a total undergraduate enrollment of 4,413, with a gender distribution of 78.2 percent male students and 21.8 percent female students. United States Air Force Academy is part of the NCAA I athletic conference.
| Total enrollment | 4,413 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA I |
Campus Info & Services
United States Air Force Academy offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, health service, and health insurance. United States Air Force Academy also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at United States Air Force Academy.
| Students who have cars on campus | N/A |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | Yes |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $0 (2011-12) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $0 (2011-12) |
| Room and board | N/A |
| Financial aid statistics | N/A |
* Overview details based on 2011 data
