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United States Naval Academy

#8 Best Engineering Colleges in Maryland
Public Annapolis, MD · Suburban · U.S. Service Schools · 47% data
A+ Selectivity A+ Graduation C+ Diversity
Graduation Rate
92% A+
Most students who enroll finish their degree here
Acceptance Rate
9% A+
Rejects about 91 of every 100 applicants
Enrollment
4,474
Graduation +62% vs avg

Bottom line: A A- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. Ranked #8 in Best Engineering Colleges in Maryland.

What The Data Says

  1. An A- overall — top 12% of all U.S. colleges on measured outcomes.

  2. A 92% graduation rate — 62% above the national average.

  3. Admits just 9% of applicants — one of the most selective institutions in the country.

Why United States Naval Academy Matters

United States Naval Academy is a public liberal arts college in Annapolis, MD and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by exceptional admissions selectivity and a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public Liberal Arts College
Carnegie Class
Baccalaureate · Arts & Sciences
Enrollment
4,474
Setting
Suburban
Primary Strengths
Engineering, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, English & Literature

Why students choose United States Naval Academy

Elite STEM ecosystem
Engineering, computing, and the sciences dominate its programs
Influential alumni network
High cross-class social capital and reach
Highly selective peer group
Surrounded by exceptionally high-achieving students
Close mentorship
A small, undergraduate-focused community

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

A-
Top 12% overall
A+
Graduation
92% graduate
A+
Selectivity
9% admit rate
C+
Diversity
0.64 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With an acceptance rate of just 9%, the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis is an ideal fit for students who are committed, disciplined, and ready to embrace a rigorous academic and military training environment. Those who thrive here often pursue top programs in Engineering, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, English & Literature, and Computer Science & IT. The emphasis on leadership and service sets this school apart, making it a strong choice for students looking to serve their country while obtaining a solid education.

Graduating from the Naval Academy can lead to significant opportunities. While specific earnings figures aren't available, the academy's focus on leadership and technical skills often translates into high-demand roles in both military and civilian sectors. Graduates typically see upward mobility in their careers, benefiting from a network of alumni who are influential in various fields. The combination of military service and a degree can enhance job prospects and earning potential over time.

When considering the financial aspect, students can expect a manageable cost after aid, particularly given the military commitment that accompanies their education. While specific debt figures are not provided, students here generally graduate with less debt compared to peers at other institutions, especially when considering the potential for military service to cover tuition. Those who succeed at the Naval Academy are often driven, disciplined, and ready to take on leadership roles in both their professional and personal lives.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective United States Naval Academy is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into United States Naval Academy? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

United States Naval Academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland, turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 9%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,307. The graduation rate is roughly 92%.

Acceptance Rate
9%
Retention Rate
97%
SAT Average
1307
ACT Midpoint
29
SAT Range
1210–1410
ACT Range
25–31
Full-Time Faculty
100%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$14,161
Student–Faculty Ratio
8:1
Diversity Index
0.64
Applicants
12,927
Admitted
1,390

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend United States Naval Academy? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Graduate Outcomes

Is United States Naval Academy Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (1,031)
88%
100% (1,031)
88%
100% (1,031)
88%
100% (1,031)
88%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Social Capital

Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas

How Connected Is United States Naval Academy? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks

Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at United States Naval Academy. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.

Economic Connectedness
1.70
Cross-class friendships
Friending Bias
-0.00
Lower = more inclusive
Volunteering Rate
4.2%
Support Ratio
1.00
Community support

Research Note

267%
Low-income students at colleges in the top quartile of economic connectedness are 267% more likely to reach the top income quintile than peers at the least-connected schools.
Data from CollegeRanker’s review of 5,745 U.S. colleges (n=1,503). Quartile comparison of mean bottom-quintile success rate, split by economic connectedness (Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas × Mobility Report Card).

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Investment Income
$92,454

Top Programs

The fields United States Naval Academy awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into United States Naval Academy? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

United States Naval Academy, located in Annapolis, Maryland, turns away the vast majority of its applicants. The acceptance rate is 9%. Admitted students typically arrive with an average SAT score near 1,307. The graduation rate is roughly 92%.

How Connected Is United States Naval Academy? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks

Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at United States Naval Academy. Its economic connectedness score is 1.70, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to United States Naval Academy.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

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The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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