International Cadet Admission & Tuition
The admission process for international applicants is different from the admission process for U.S. citizens and those with dual citizenship. This is because the Academy works through American embassies to identify, interview, and enroll foreign nationals. You must:
- Contact the U.S. Defense Attaché Officer or Coast Guard Liaison Officer stationed in the U.S. embassy to request an application
- Gain the support of your host country, via the U.S. embassy
- Interview with your embassy official
- Demonstrate English proficiency
- Apply on paper, not online
- Take the SAT or ACT exam
International applicants will be guided by the International Cadet Admission Officer once notified by the embassy you are working with.
Key Dates and Deadlines
- August: Contact the U.S. embassy & open your application
- August – January: Take the SAT or ACT, and TOEFL (if required)
- 1 February: Deadline to submit all application requirements
- March: Admission Office notifies applicants of decision
- 1 May: Deadline to accept an appointment
Application Requirements
- Take and pass a medical exam after you report to the Academy. Candidates who do not meet medical standards when they arrive will be sent home. A list of common disqualifiers should be reviewed in advance to help you assess your medical eligibility.
- Submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam by the application deadline, if English is not the language primarily spoken in your country. The English Comprehension Level (ECL) exam may be substituted with prior written permission from the Admissions Office. Required minimum scores:
- Submit SAT or ACT test scores. To send your scores from the testing agency, contact SAT or ACT, or list our code when you take the test. Our SAT code is 5807 and our ACT code is 0600. Please visit the College Board or ACT websites to register:
- TOEFL (paper test): 560
- TOEFL (computer test): 90
- ECL: 80
Additional information about the TOEFL exam can be found on the TOEFL website.
- Complete an interview with the U.S. Defense Attaché Officer or embassy official stationed in your U.S. embassy. Bring a certified copy of your high school transcript to the interview, which will be conducted in English. The Defense Attache submits an interview report to the Admissions Office on your behalf before the application deadline.
Tuition
The cost of tuition, room and board is born by your host country. These fees are reviewed and updated annually. Currently:
- $97,000 per year (for nations not on the World Bank List)
- $24,000 per year (for nations on the World Bank List)
Your nation is also responsible for the cost of your travel to and from the Academy.
Out of pocket expenses for international cadets vary. Each cadet, however, receives a stipend of $975 per month, portions of which are discretionary and for personal use.
New international cadets are required to make a non-refundable, one-time $3,000 deposit to cover the cost of issued items, such as a computer or tablet, and uniforms.
