United States Naval Academy: A Deep Dive into Enrollment Statistics
The United States Naval Academy (USNA), a prestigious federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1845. Ranked No. 3 in National Liberal Arts Colleges and No. 1 in Top Public Schools in the 2026 edition of Best Colleges, the Naval Academy is a highly selective institution that prepares midshipmen for service in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. This article delves into the academy's enrollment statistics, providing a comprehensive overview of its student population, admissions process, and academic environment.
General Information
Founded in 1845, the United States Naval Academy is a public institution occupying a 338-acre campus. The Yard, as the campus is known, is a National Historic Landmark, home to historical sites, buildings and monuments. As of fall 2024, the total undergraduate enrollment is 4,474. The student-faculty ratio is 8:1, and the academic calendar is semester-based.
Student Enrollment
For the academic year 2023-2024, the United States Naval Academy enrolled a total of 4,465 students, all of whom are undergraduates. This number is significantly higher than the average enrollment of similar public Baccalaureate Colleges focused on Arts & Sciences, which stands at approximately 1,990 students.
Gender Distribution
The student body consists of 3,144 male and 1,321 female students, resulting in a male-to-female ratio of approximately 70:30. This gender distribution reflects a historical trend in military academies, although efforts have been made to increase female representation in recent years.
Race and Ethnicity
The racial and ethnic composition of the student body is as follows:
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- White: 2,583
- Black or African American: 283
- Asian: 432
The Naval Academy strives to create a diverse student body that reflects the demographics of the United States.
Admissions
Admission to the United States Naval Academy is highly competitive. The academy received 14,727 undergraduate applications in 2023, and accepted only 1,379 students, resulting in an acceptance rate of 9.36%. This acceptance rate is lower than the 10.8% recorded in 2022. The number of applicants grew by 13.9% between 2022 and 2023, while admissions declined by 0.791%. The Naval Academy has an overall enrollment yield of 85.2%, exceeding other high-yield institutions such as Harvard or MIT.
SAT Scores
A significant portion of enrolled first-time students, approximately 74%, submitted SAT scores with their applications in 2023.
The Nomination Process
Candidates for admission must apply directly to the academy and separately seek a nomination, typically from a member of Congress. The greatest percentage of Class of 2027 applicants receiving nominations, 76%, were nominated by members of Congress. 9% received Presidential nominations, 8% received nominations from the Secretary of the Navy, and 5% were nominated through ROTC programs.
Key Application Components
Interviews are mandatory and conducted with a Blue and Gold Officer in the applicant's home state. The USNA gives applicants an opportunity to apply for the Summer Seminar after their junior year of high school. Additionally, candidates need to arrange for and pass a Candidate Fitness Assessment.
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Retention and Graduation Rates
The United States Naval Academy boasts high retention and graduation rates, reflecting the quality of its academic programs and the commitment of its students. The first-year retention rate is 97%, indicating that the vast majority of freshmen choose to continue their studies at the academy after their first year. After four years at Navy, 89% graduate, and 91% graduate after six.
In 2023, 89% of students graduating from the United States Naval Academy completed their program within 100% "normal time". Comparatively, 91% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 91% within 200%.
Academic Environment
The student-faculty ratio at the Naval Academy is 8:1, ensuring personalized attention and mentorship for midshipmen. The faculty comprises 600 officers and civilians, with a majority of officers serving on a two-to-three-year rotation. This system keeps the classes, curriculum, and experiences fresh. The school also has Permanent Military Professors with doctorates who stay long term.
The Naval Academy offers students the ability to study abroad.
Majors and Degrees
In 2023, 1,029 degrees were awarded across all undergraduate and graduate programs at United States Naval Academy. 26.4% of these degrees were awarded to women, and 73.6% awarded men. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (628 degrees), 5.02 times more than then the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (125 degrees).
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In 2023, the most common bachelors degree concentration at United States Naval Academy was Econometrics & Quantitative Economics with 148 degrees awarded.
From 1845 to 1968, midshipmen studied identical courses, with the exception of a choice of foreign language. During the period 1968 to 1972, the academy moved beyond engineering to include more than 20 majors.
Costs and Financial Aid
In 2023, the cost of tuition at United States Naval Academy was $0.
A Look at Graduates
Upon graduation, Naval Academy graduates are commissioned as ensigns (Navy) or second lieutenants (Marine Corps). They earn an average starting salary of over $75,000, and experience a 100% job placement rate.
Historical Context and Evolution
The United States Naval Academy has undergone significant transformations since its establishment. Initially known as the Naval School, it opened with 50 midshipmen and seven professors. The curriculum initially involved alternating periods of study at the school and at sea. The academy was reorganized in 1850 and placed under the supervision of the chief of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, and the name was changed to United States Naval Academy.
The American Civil War disrupted the Naval Academy, with Southern sympathies running high in Maryland. The United States government was planning to move the school, when the sudden outbreak of hostilities forced a quick departure. Admiral David Dixon Porter became superintendent in 1865 and attempted to restore the facilities.
Milestones
- 1877: Kiro Kunitomo, a Japanese citizen, graduated from the academy.
- 1879: Robert F.
- 1976: The Naval Academy became a coeducational institution.
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