Admit rate has ranged 8%–11% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is one of the most selective and rigorous military academies in the world, producing naval officers with a blend of technical expertise and leadership acumen. With a 9.27% acceptance rate, it demands top-tier academic and physical performance, offering a tuition-free education in exchange for military service. Known for its intense STEM-heavy curriculum and storied traditions, USNA molds midshipmen into disciplined leaders who graduate into high-paying military careers.
Admission requirements
Test scores required
Required
Grade point average
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
High school transcript
College-prep program
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
4,474
Acceptance Rate
9.27%
Graduation Rate
88% (4-year), 90% (6-year)
Starting Salary
$96,700
Midshipmen Stipend
$1,087/month (2024)
Service Obligation
5+ years active duty
STEM Majors Requirement
65% of graduates
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Graduation rate
93%
First-year retention
97%
Endowment / student
$949
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
Campus & location
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
93
Summer high
84°F
Winter low
33°F
Annual rain
60.7"
Annual snow
10.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
195
Scholarly works
13,565
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at United States Naval Academy?
United States Naval Academy's acceptance rate is approximately 9% (Annapolis, MD), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for United States Naval Academy?
Admitted students at United States Naval Academy typically score 1210–1410 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How many undergraduates attend United States Naval Academy?
United States Naval Academy enrolls approximately 4,474 undergraduate students.
Where is United States Naval Academy located?
United States Naval Academy is located in Annapolis, MD.
Admissions
Gaining admission to the Naval Academy is a Herculean task—only 9.27% of applicants receive an offer, making it one of the most selective institutions in the U.S. (down from 15,149 applications in 2024). The process isn’t just about grades: applicants need a congressional nomination, top-tier SAT scores (1210–1400) or ACT scores (25–31), and demonstrated leadership. The Class of 2029 included 61 LegacyAn applicant whose parent (or sometimes other close relative) attended the college. Some schools give a small edge to legacy applicants. students (47 sons, 14 daughters), underscoring the Academy’s tight-knit tradition. Unlike civilian colleges, USNA evaluates physical fitness and moral character with equal weight to academics.
USNA’s curriculum is a STEM-dominated gauntlet, with 65% of graduates required to major in science, technology, engineering, or math to meet Navy demands. Even humanities majors endure a core heavy on calculus, chemistry, and physics. Popular majors include Operations Research and Political Science, but all students complete capstone projects (75% participation) and undergraduate research (82%). The Academy’s focus is unapologetically practical: every class, from ethics to thermodynamics, ties back to naval service. Midshipmen don’t just study leadership—they live it, with mandatory military training woven into the academic schedule.
Life as a midshipman is structured to the minute: predawn physical training, regimented meals, and mandatory study halls. Socializing happens within the Brigade, with camaraderie forged through shared hardship—think pep rallies for Army-Navy football or clandestine pizza runs after lights-out. Extracurriculars skew tactical (sailing, robotics, marksmanship), though there’s a surprising underground arts scene. Every student is an active-duty Navy officer-in-training, earning a monthly stipend but subject to military discipline. The campus itself is a postcard-perfect fortress on the Chesapeake Bay, where even the sidewalks are inscribed with naval battle dates.
USNA’s 88% graduation rate (90% at six years) reflects its high-stakes investment in each student. Every graduate commissions as a Navy or Marine Corps officer, with starting salaries averaging $96,700—nearly double the national median for bachelor’s holders. Mid-career pay rockets to $187,800, thanks to promotions and specialized training. The trade-off? A mandatory five-year service commitment, with many careers spanning decades. Alumni networks are legendary, spanning NASA astronauts, SEAL team leaders, and Pentagon brass.
USNA is one of the few universities where tuition is fully covered by the U.S. Navy—but the real cost is a minimum five-year service obligation. Midshipmen receive free room/board, medical care, and a monthly stipend ($1,087 in 2024). There’s no FAFSA or student loans; the Navy even pays for summer training cruises. The catch? Dropouts may owe reimbursement, and the lifestyle is spartan: no luxury dorms or meal plans here. For those committed to military service, it’s the ultimate scholarship—with a uniform included.
The Naval Academy isn’t just a college—it’s a leadership forge where every detail, from the 7:1 student-faculty ratio to the Herndon Monument climb, is designed to produce combat-ready officers. Its blend of Ivy-level academics (with a 1210–1400 SAT range) and military rigor is unmatched, as are the post-graduation guarantees: a commission, a salary, and a purpose. The trade-offs—no Greek life, no semesters abroad, no civilian career at graduation—are stark, but for those built for it, USNA offers a path to influence few institutions can match.
United States Naval Academy logo · sourceMaps and Directions :: Leaders to Serve the Nation... · sourceMaps and Directions :: Leaders to Serve the Nation... · sourceVisit Annapolis - Naval Academy · source
