Air Force Institute of Technology
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH
"Fly - Fight - Win"
The Verdict
AFIT isn't your typical graduate school—it's the Air Force's intellectual arsenal. Since 1919, this Wright-Patterson AFB institution has produced the minds behind America's aerospace supremacy: from General Jimmy Doolittle and Bernard Schriever to astronauts Gus Grissom and Guion Bluford, the first African American in space. AFIT has awarded more than 20,600 master's and 1,000 doctoral degrees.
With two Centers of Excellence, seven research centers spanning hypersonics to directed energy, and a 75,000-title research library shared with Air Force Research Laboratory, AFIT delivers defense-focused graduate education that directly shapes national security capabilities.
Campus & Cadet Life
About
The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) is the U.S. Air Force's graduate school of engineering and management, as well as its institution for technical professional continuing education. AFIT provides defense-focused graduate and professional continuing education and research to sustain the technological supremacy of the U.S. Air and Space Forces.
Tuition & Costs
2024-2025 Rates*Tuition waived for DoD-sponsored students; $426/credit for non-sponsored
View official tuition pageAdmissions & Selectivity
Admissions Philosophy
highly selective
Key Requirements
- Active duty Air Force or Space Force officer status (primary pathway)
- Bachelor's degree from regionally accredited institution with 3.0+ GPA
- GRE scores (153 verbal/148 quantitative minimum) or GMAT 550+ for applicable programs
- PhD applicants require master's degree with 3.5+ GPA and two recommendation letters
- International military officers require TOEFL score of 76+ (internet-based)
Admitted Student Profile
3.00
Avg GPA
Location
Campus & Facilities
Campus Size
35 acres
Housing
N/A
Enrollment
1,005
Student:Teacher
4:1
Campus Life
Daily Schedule
AFIT operates on a quarter calendar with 10-week terms plus examination week. As a graduate-level institution on an active Air Force base, students maintain military bearing while pursuing rigorous academic schedules. The academic environment balances operational relevance with scholarly rigor, preparing officers for technical leadership roles.
Discipline Model
Students are active duty military officers subject to UCMJ and Air Force regulations. As graduate students, they operate with professional autonomy while maintaining military standards. The environment emphasizes academic integrity, professional development, and mission-focused research aligned with Air Force and Space Force priorities.
Academics & Outcomes
College Matriculation
N/A (Graduate institution)
Where Graduates Go
N/A (Provides graduate education to service academy graduates and other officers)
Hall of Fame
General Jimmy Doolittle
Led the famous Doolittle Raid on Tokyo in WWII; Medal of Honor recipient; pioneer of military aviation
General Bernard Schriever
Father of the U.S. Air Force ballistic missile and military space program
Virgil 'Gus' Grissom
Mercury and Gemini astronaut; second American in space (1961)
Gordon Cooper
Mercury Seven astronaut; completed longest American spaceflight at the time (1963)
Guion Bluford
First African American in space (1983); PhD Aerospace Engineering from AFIT (1978)
Dr. Ray O. Johnson
Former Senior VP and CTO of Lockheed Martin Corporation
General Lawrence A. Skantze
Pioneering leader in Air Force science, engineering, and systems acquisition
Athletics & Physical Training
Mandatory PT
As active duty military officers, all students maintain physical fitness standards per Air Force regulations. Wright-Patterson AFB provides fitness facilities including gymnasiums and running tracks. Physical training is self-directed but must meet annual Air Force fitness assessment requirements.
Facilities
Located on Wright-Patterson AFB Area B, the campus includes Buildings 640 and 641 housing the Graduate School of Engineering and Management, the D'Azzo Research Library with 75,000+ titles, 5,000 square feet of ISO 7 cleanroom facilities, and specialized laboratories supporting NASA and Air Force research. Students have access to base fitness facilities, recreation centers, and the broader Wright-Patterson AFB infrastructure.
Photo Gallery
Related Schools
The Maritime Academy of Toledo
Toledo, OH
The Maritime Academy of Toledo is a tuition-free public charter school that uses nautical themes to educate students. Its mission is to shape future leaders by developing strong character and innovative minds.
American Military University
Charles Town, WV
American Military University, founded in 1991, provides flexible and affordable online higher education to the military and public service communities. It focuses on career-relevant education with an emphasis on military studies, security, and intelligence.
Philadelphia Military Academy at Elverson
Philadelphia, PA
A public military high school in Philadelphia offering a structured Army JROTC curriculum.
U.S. Army War College
Carlisle, PA
The U.S. Army War College provides graduate-level instruction to senior military officers, government officials, and civilians to prepare them for senior leadership assignments and responsibilities. It educates and develops leaders for service at the strategic level while advancing knowledge in the global application of landpower.
Culver Academies
Culver, IN
Culver Academies is a college preparatory boarding school in Culver, Indiana, composed of Culver Military Academy (CMA) for boys and Culver Girls Academy (CGA) for girls. It focuses on developing courageous leaders of honorable character.
Great Lakes Maritime Academy
Traverse City, MI
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy, a division of Northwestern Michigan College, has been training merchant marine officers for the commercial shipping industry since 1969. The academy provides extensive hands-on training on its fleet of vessels, including the T/S State of Michigan.
Guides & Resources
Beyond the Uniform: Career Paths for Military School Grads Who Don't Join
Military school doesn't mean military career. Discover how alumni thrive in business, law, medicine, tech, and every field—and why employers value military school graduates.
Alabama's CHOOSE Act: Using ESA Funds for Military School
How Alabama families can use Education Savings Account funds from the CHOOSE Act to pay for private military school tuition.
Military Schools for Boys
A complete list of all-boys military schools in the United States, including private boarding academies, day schools, and elementary options.
North Carolina: The Oak Ridge Tradition & JROTC Excellence
North Carolina is home to Oak Ridge Military Academy, one of the oldest military schools in America. Learn about its college-prep model and the state's JROTC programs.
Religious Accommodations in Military Schools
Can your Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, or other faith child attend military school? Understand policies on dietary restrictions, religious services, grooming waivers, and faith expression.
The Parent's Emotional Journey: From Drop-Off to Thanksgiving
A roadmap for parents navigating the first semester. From the terrifying silence to the 'come get me' call to the transformed person who comes home—what to expect and how to cope.