Are you paid in the Air Force Academy?
Asked by: Mr. Jarvis Maggio | Last update: October 12, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (69 votes)
Cadets earn approximately $1185.00 per month in basic pay. This covers the majority of school related expenses. However, most expenses are incurred within the first eight months (uniforms, computer, textbooks, etc.)
Do Air Force Academy students get paid?
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.
Does the Air Force pay you to go to school?
The Military Tuition Assistance (TA) program is an important quality of life program that provides tuition for college courses taken by active duty personnel during off-duty hours. TA is capped at $250 per semester hour (or $166 per quarter hour) and is restricted to a maximum of $4500 per fiscal year.
Do you pay tuition at Air Force Academy?
How much is tuition at the U.S. Air Force Academy? There is no monetary cost to attend the Academy. However, you will be required to serve in the U.S. Air Force or Space Force for a period of time, depending on your career.
Do you get paid while attending a military academy?
Some military academies also provide a basic pay to their students, which is normally adjusted annually for inflation. For instance, at the United States Military Academy (West Point), as of 2024, cadets receive a monthly salary of around $1,000.
Why You Should Apply to the Air Force Academy
Is the Air Force Academy worth it?
Students who seek out a United States Air Force Academy education note their satisfaction in how "values of integrity, service, and excellence...are actually the norm." This esteemed institution not only promotes a "culture of excellence" that molds students into "leaders of character," but also offers "prestige in ...
Which military academy pays the most?
- United States Naval Academy. Average Starting Salary: $77,100. ...
- United States Military Academy at West Point. Average Starting Salary: $74,000. ...
- Harvey Mudd College. Average Starting Salary: $73,300. ...
- 4. California Institute of Technology. ...
- Stevens Institute of Technology. ...
- Stanford University. ...
- Babson College. ...
- Princeton University.
What GPA do you need to get into the Air Force Academy?
You should also have a 3.8 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as United States Air Force Academy, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.
What happens after 4 years in the Air Force?
Qualified individuals who enlist for four years active duty will incur an Inactive Ready Reserve obligation of four years. Qualified individuals who enlist for six years active duty will incur an Inactive Ready Reserve obligation of two years.
How much is housing at the Air Force Academy?
U.S. Air Force Academy BAH Information
The U.S. Air Force Academy is near Colorado Springs with many options to buy or rent. Some sample U.S. Air Force Academy BAH rates for zip code 80840: E-1 with dependents: $2,160. E-1 without dependents: $1,692.
Do you get free housing in the Air Force?
For those who are authorized to live off base, you'll receive a housing allowance that can be used to pay for off-base housing. To help you get accustomed to the military lifestyle, Airmen without families will start out living in dorms.
How much money is it to get into the Air Force Academy?
An Academy education is valued at more than $416,000, yet we offer it at no cost to our cadets. All that is required in return is your commitment to serve as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
Which military branch pays the most?
There is no branch that pays more. Base pay at a given grade and time of service is the same across the services. However, total pay and compensation can differ a lot due to allowances and special pays. But those are based on location and duties, not branch-of-service.
Is it hard to get into the Air Force Academy?
Every year, about 11,500 students apply to attend the Air Force Academy. Only 1,400 are offered appointments to attend USAFA. At first glance, the Air Force Academy acceptance rate appears to be about 12%. However, in reality, the acceptance rate for the Air Force Academy is actually much higher around 48%.
What are the perks of Air Force Academy?
- Cost-free tuition.
- Cost-free room and board.
- Cost-free medical care.
- Outpatient treatment, physical examinations and routine dental examinations are performed in the cadet clinic.
- Pay and benefits.
- Access to a low-cost, government-sponsored life insurance program.
Does Air Force pay full tuition?
Yes. Once you join the Air Force, the Air Force Tuition Assistance program pays tuition costs for college classes you take in your off-duty time.
What disqualifies you from joining the Air Force?
Un-united fractures, history of instability of a major joint, certain retained orthopedic fixation devices, severe scoliosis, or any condition that could interfere with daily participation in rigorous physical training or athletic programs, wearing of military equipment, or detract from military bearing and appearance ...
How much do Air Force Academy cadets get paid?
Estimated average pay
The estimated middle value of the base pay for Cadet at this company in the United States is $22.18 per hour.
How long do you have to be in the Air Force to get free college?
To earn this benefit, you'll typically need at least three years of continuous active duty service, or two years if that was the length of your agreement. You can also earn the Montgomery GI Bill under the 2 by 4 Program if you enter the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty and serve four more years.
What rank do you come out of the Air Force Academy?
As a commissioned officer in the Air Force, immediately upon graduation, you will enter the Air Force as an O-1, which is a second lieutenant. You will work your way up as O-2, O-3, etc. Each rank has a pay grade that begins with a letter “O” for officers and “E” for enlisted.
Can you have tattoos in the Air Force?
Hand, arm, leg, neck, and ring tattoos can be exposed and visible while wearing any uniform combination. Chest and back tattoos will not be visible through any uniform combination or visible while wearing an open collar uniform.
How long do you have to serve after Air Force Academy?
You will accept an appointment and serve as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force for at least eight years after graduation, five of which must be active duty and the remainder can be served as inactive reserve.
What is the lowest paid military branch?
E-1: $20,340. E-1 is the lowest enlisted rank in the US military: Airman Basic (Air Force), Private (Army/Marine Corps), Seaman Recruit (Navy). Service members usually hold this rank through basic training, and automatically promote to the next rank after six months of service.
What is the toughest military academy to get into?
Arguably, the most challenging military school to get admitted to in the United States is the United States Naval Academy (USNA), located in Annapolis, Maryland. The acceptance rate for the USNA can be as low as 8%, making it an extremely competitive institution.
Is the Air Force academy free?
An Academy education is valued at more than $416,000, yet it's offered no financial cost to our cadets or their families. In return, a cadet commits to serve as an officer in the Air or Space Force.