United States Military Academy at West Point
The United States Military Academy at West Point is the nation's oldest service academy, founded in 1802 on a bluff above the Hudson River about 50 miles north of New York City. Admission is uniquely demanding: beyond strong academics — enrolled cadets carry an average high school GPA near 4.10 and middle-50% SAT scores of 1210–1420 — applicants must secure a congressional or military nomination and pass a fitness and medical assessment, and roughly 12% of some 12,300 applicants are admitted. Cadets pay no tuition; the Army funds tuition, food, housing, and medical care and pays a monthly salary in exchange for at least five years of active-duty service after graduation. Engineering and the social sciences are the largest fields of study, and every graduate earns a Bachelor of Science and commissions as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
See how West Point compares
Pick up to two rivals — or search any school.
West Point admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Admissions
West Point does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
West Point requires standardized test scores for all applicants.
SAT Accepted?
ACT Accepted?
Test Optional?
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Class Rank
Where West Point's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 99% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. West Point does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How West Point weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
What it costs to attend West Point — fully covered for every cadet.
As a U.S. service academy, United States Military Academy at West Point charges no tuition or fees. Tuition, food, housing, and medical care are fully funded by the federal government, and students receive a monthly salary in exchange for a military service commitment after graduation.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
Writing your West Point application essay?
Esslo gives you line-by-line feedback on your Common App and supplemental essays — so your application stands out at West Point and beyond.
Frequently asked questions about West Point admissions
How hard is it to get into West Point?＋
Very hard. West Point admitted about 12.5% of applicants in the most recent cycle, drawing roughly 12,300 applications and enrolling around 1,195 new cadets. Selectivity is only part of it: every candidate must also secure a congressional or military nomination and pass the Candidate Fitness Assessment and a medical exam before an appointment can be offered.
What GPA do you need to get into West Point?＋
Admitted cadets report an average high school GPA of about 4.10, so you'll want grades near the top of your class. The rigor of your course load and your academic GPA are both weighed as very important factors, but academics alone won't get you in — a nomination, the Candidate Fitness Assessment, and a medical qualification are required as well.
What SAT or ACT score do you need for West Point?＋
West Point requires the SAT or ACT and is not test-optional. The middle 50% of enrolled cadets scored 1210 to 1420 on the SAT and 27 to 33 on the ACT, with standardized test scores rated a very important admission factor. A score near the 75th percentile (1420 SAT / 33 ACT) puts you in the strongest part of the range.
How does the West Point nomination process work?＋
West Point does not use Early Decision or Early Action — instead, candidates must earn a congressional or military nomination before they can receive an appointment. This nomination requirement is part of why the path differs from a typical college application, and it does not by itself guarantee admission: candidates must still pass the Candidate Fitness Assessment and a medical exam and clear the academic review.
Does it cost money to attend West Point?＋
No. As a federal service academy, West Point charges no tuition or fees, and the U.S. Army funds tuition, food, housing, and medical care while paying cadets a monthly salary. In return, every graduate commissions as a second lieutenant and serves at least five years on active duty in the U.S. Army.
What are the most popular majors at West Point?＋
Engineering is the largest field at about 29% of degrees, followed very closely by the social sciences at roughly 28%. West Point also offers strong programs in the sciences, behavioral science and leadership, management, and the humanities, and every cadet graduates with a Bachelor of Science and an Army commission regardless of major.
How important is the interview and your character at West Point?＋
Very. West Point rates both the interview and character/personal qualities as very important factors — the same tier as your GPA, course rigor, and test scores. This emphasis on demonstrated character and leadership potential is one of the things that sets the service-academy review apart from a standard college application.
Does the application essay matter at West Point?＋
Yes. West Point rates the application essay as an important factor in its review, alongside recommendations and extracurricular activities. With character and personal qualities weighed as very important and an admit rate around 12.5%, a specific, authentic essay that shows your motivation to serve is one of the clearest places to stand out.
Source: United States Military Academy at West Point Common Data Set 2024-2025. Figures transcribed 2026-06-08. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with West Point. Banner photo by U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley, via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain).