Class of 2026 stats: Graduation by the numbers

U.S. Air Force Academy graduates toss their hats skyward at Falcon Stadium after commissioning as second lieutenants during the Academy’s commencement ceremony May 28, 2026. Class of 2026 stats show that 809 graduates entered the Air Force and 93 entered the Space Force, beginning their service as the nation’s newest military officers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Adalyn Greene)

By Harry Lundy
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – More than 900 cadets graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy during a May 28 ceremony at Falcon Stadium.

The Class of 2026 included 809 graduates commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Air Force and 93 commissioned into the U.S. Space Force. Thirteen international cadets also graduated alongside their U.S. classmates, joining a global network of leaders shaped by the Academy experience.

Class of 2026 by the numbers

The following information is based on data released June 1 by the Academy’s operations and analysis office.

The Class of 2026 began with 1,375 men and women who received appointments to the Academy.

The Class of 2026 entered the Academy with an average high school GPA of 3.90. The average SAT scores were 686 in evidence-based reading and writing and 702 in mathematics; the average ACT score was 30.4 in English, 31.3 in reading, 29.5 in mathematics, and 29.8 in science reasoning. Nearly half of the Class of 2026, 49%, were members of the National Honor Society before entering the Academy.

Cadets hold up their diplomas after the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2026 graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium May 28, 2026. Class of 2026 stats show that 49% of graduates will attend pilot training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Pathways to the Academy

A total of 931 cadets graduated May 28. The class included 13 international cadets from Guyana, Jordan, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands, Niger, the Philippines, Senegal, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Tunisia.

The Class of 2026 arrived at the Academy through a variety of pathways. Among the graduates, 137 graduates attended the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School. The Prep School prepares a select group of cadet candidates for admission to the Academy and future success as cadets. After cadet candidates graduate, they must reapply for admission to the Academy, and the Prep School commander, Col. Mark Landez, can recommend them to the Academy board, the final authority for appointment.

The class included 42 prior-enlisted Airmen who brought operational experience and military service to the Cadet Wing. Family ties to the Academy also remained strong. Eighty-three graduates had one parent who graduated from the Academy, while 12 had two Academy graduate parents. The attrition rate for the graduating class was 13.1%.

Cadets celebrate at the U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 2026 graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium May 28, 2026. Class of 2026 stats show 457 graduates were selected to attend pilot training, one of several career paths available to newly commissioned officers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner)

Career fields and service commitments

The graduating class recorded an attrition rate of 13.1% over its four-year journey.

Among the graduates, 457 (or 49%) are scheduled to attend pilot training, 13 are scheduled to become remotely piloted aircraft officers, seven are scheduled for combat systems officer training and six are scheduled for air battle manager training. In total, 483 graduates will enter rated career fields, while 448 will enter non-rated career fields.

Academy graduates incur a five-year active-duty service commitment. Additional service commitments may apply based on the training, education or scholarships they receive.

Graduates who complete pilot training incur a 10-year active-duty service commitment after earning their wings.

Combat systems operators, remotely piloted aircraft sensor operators and airborne battle managers incur a six-year commitment. Graduates completing airborne battle manager training incur two concurrent service commitments: a five-year service academy graduate commitment and a six-year airborne battle manager commitment.

Since the first class graduated in 1959, 56,495 Academy graduates have commissioned into the Air Force and 674 have commissioned into the Space Force.

U.S. Air Force Academy cadets raise their right hands while taking the oath of office at the Class of 2026 graduation ceremony at Falcon Stadium May 28, 2026. Class of 2026 stats show the graduates joined a legacy of more than 57,000 officers commissioned by the Academy since 1959. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)

Read about this year’s commencement and see more graduation ceremony photos on Flickr.