U.S. News & World Report has ranked the U.S. Air Force Academy, a military service academy, as one of the nation’s best undergraduate educational institutions in its annual “Best Colleges” report released earlier this week.

The Air Force Academy ranks #2 among top public schools. The “Best Colleges” report also ranks the Air Force Academy #8 among national liberal arts colleges.

Additionally, many of the Academy’s engineering programs rank among the top ten in the nation among schools where a doctorate is not offered. Specifically, the Academy ranks:

• #6 among best undergraduate engineering programs – up one place from last year
• #6 for civil engineering
• #9 for electrical engineering
•  #6 for mechanical engineering, a jump of four places over last year’s ranking

With 20 academic departments and a broad core curriculum, USAFA cadets have access to an expansive curriculum that interests and challenges each of them. In addition to a rigorous academic experience, cadets also participate in military training and athletics, all connecting to the Academy’s mission to develop leaders of character for the Air Force, Space Force and nation.

The academic mission element encompasses nine outcomes that define and distinguish the USAFA cadet experience and what it means to be an Academy graduate: critical thinking; warrior ethos as airmen and citizens; national security of the American republic; application of engineering problem-solving methods; scientific reasoning and the principles of science; the human condition, cultures and societies; leadership, teamwork and organizational management; clear communication; ethics and respect for human dignity.

When cadets graduate from the Academy, they earn a Bachelor of Science degree from an elite academic and leadership development institution and commission into the Air Force, the Space Force or another branch as a second lieutenant.

Scoring 93 out of 100 points in U.S. News & World Report’s scoring system, USAFA ranked as follows in the latest “Best Colleges” rankings:

#2 Top Public Schools

#8 Top National Liberal Arts College

#6 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs*

#6 Civil Engineering*

#9 Electrical Engineering*

#6 Mechanical Engineering*

*Among schools where a doctorate is not offered.