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United States Air Force Academy: USAFA air gardens
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College · Catholic life on campus

United States Air Force Academy

  • LocationUSAF Academy, CO
  • Type and sizePublic · 4-year · 4,124 students
Official website

United States Air Force Academy is not a Catholic college. This rating measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes.

The U.S. Air Force Academy's Cadet Chapel includes a Catholic chapel and a Catholic community served by Air Force chaplains. The academy's pages list Sunday Mass and Monday through Thursday Mass in Polaris Hall, cadet worship ministries, two annual retreats, and sacramental preparation; the Cadet Chapel is closed for restoration with an estimated completion in 2028.

Mass, confession, and adoration

Confirm with the parish

Mass 2

  • Sunday9:00 AM–10:00 AMPolaris Hall, Main Forum · Listed on the Cadet Chapel page, which notes the chapel is closed for repairs; the page says service times are subject to change.
  • Monday–Thursday5:15 PM–6:00 PMPolaris Hall, East Seminar Room · Listed as Daily Mass, Monday-Thursday. The page says service times are subject to change.

Times come only from official parish, chaplaincy, or school pages, and can change with the season. Last verified Oct. 14, 2026.

Sources for these times (1)
  1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
    “Catholic Mass | Sunday | 9-10 a.m. | Polaris Hall, Main Forum”
    Catholic Mass is listed on Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m. in Polaris Hall, Main Forum.
    “Daily Mass | Monday-Thursday | 5:15-6 p.m. | Polaris Hall, East Seminar Room”
    Daily Mass is listed Monday through Thursday, 5:15 to 6 p.m., in Polaris Hall, East Seminar Room.

Catholic churches nearby

Map of United States Air Force Academy, its Catholic center and nearby Catholic churches0.25 mi0.5 miCadet Chaplain Office and Catholic community: 0.3 miUnited States Air Force Academy (campus)N0.25 mi
CampusCatholic centerOpen a street map ›

No Catholic churches are mapped in OpenStreetMap within 3 miles. The map may be incomplete; check the local diocese’s parish directory.

Catholic life scorecard

Each line is one thing we looked for. A check means yes, a half means partly, a dash means no. “Not enough information” means official sources did not say.

CCatholic life on campus: Mixed (grade C): 55 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.

Catholic life on campus

65 of 100 points on what we could document.

  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic campus ministry serving this campus (Catholic center, campus ministry, or chaplaincy)Yes (The Catholic community of the Cadet Chapel is the academy's Catholic ministry, listed on the academy's own pages.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “In addition to daily and weekend worship services, the Catholic community at the Academy offers retreats, pastoral care, religious education and sacramental preparation.”
      The Catholic community offers worship, retreats, pastoral care, religious education and sacramental preparation.
      “Catholic Mass | Sunday | 9-10 a.m. | Polaris Hall, Main Forum”
      Catholic Mass is listed on Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m. in Polaris Hall, Main Forum.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Dedicated Catholic center or chapel on or next to campusYes (The Catholic chapel is part of the Cadet Chapel, on campus. That building is closed for repairs until an estimated 2028; the listed Catholic services are held in Polaris Hall.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “It serves as an all-faith center of worship for cadets and includes Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist chapels”
      The Cadet Chapel includes a Catholic chapel.
      “The Cadet Chapel is closed for necessary repairs with an estimated completion date of 2028.”
      The Cadet Chapel is closed for repairs, with an estimated completion in 2028.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Priest chaplain assigned to campus ministryPart-time or shared priest (The pages name Catholic chaplains; no individual priest. A published Mass schedule means a priest serves students at least part-time.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Catholic Mass | Sunday | 9-10 a.m. | Polaris Hall, Main Forum”
      Catholic Mass is listed on Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m. in Polaris Hall, Main Forum.
      “The Catholic Chaplains are always available for spiritual direction, confessions, prayer, counsel, support and encouragement.”
      Catholic chaplains are listed as available for confessions, with no scheduled times.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Weekday Mass at the campus ministry1–4 weekdays (Daily Mass is listed Monday through Thursday (four weekdays) at 5:15 PM in Polaris Hall.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Daily Mass | Monday-Thursday | 5:15-6 p.m. | Polaris Hall, East Seminar Room”
      Daily Mass is listed Monday through Thursday, 5:15 to 6 p.m., in Polaris Hall, East Seminar Room.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Sunday Mass at the campus ministry or a campus chapelOne weekend Mass (One Sunday Mass is listed, 9-10 a.m. in Polaris Hall, Main Forum.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Catholic Mass | Sunday | 9-10 a.m. | Polaris Hall, Main Forum”
      Catholic Mass is listed on Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m. in Polaris Hall, Main Forum.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Scheduled confession at the campus ministryLess than weekly, or by appointment (Confessions are listed as available from the Catholic chaplains.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “The Catholic Chaplains are always available for spiritual direction, confessions, prayer, counsel, support and encouragement.”
      Catholic chaplains are listed as available for confessions, with no scheduled times.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Catholic student groups and missionary outreach (e.g., FOCUS, Saint Paul's Outreach, Knights of Columbus, Bible studies)Two or more (Two groups: FOCUS, which lists the academy among its campuses, and the cadet-led Cadet Catholic Parish Advisory Council.)
    Sources (2)
    1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “planning and executing two annual retreats and leading the Cadet Catholic Parish Advisory Council.”
      Cadets plan and run two annual Catholic retreats and lead the Cadet Catholic Parish Advisory Council.
    2. Campuses | FOCUSfocus.org/about/campuses · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “United States Air Force Academy”
      FOCUS lists the United States Air Force Academy among the campuses it serves.
  • Yes: the school meets this item and earns its full points.
    Formation programs (retreats, OCIA/RCIA, service, small groups)Two or more kinds (Two kinds: retreats (two annual) and sacramental preparation with religious education.)
    Sources (1)
    1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “In addition to daily and weekend worship services, the Catholic community at the Academy offers retreats, pastoral care, religious education and sacramental preparation.”
      The Catholic community offers worship, retreats, pastoral care, religious education and sacramental preparation.
      “planning and executing two annual retreats and leading the Cadet Catholic Parish Advisory Council.”
      Cadets plan and run two annual Catholic retreats and lead the Cadet Catholic Parish Advisory Council.
  • No: the school does not offer this, so it earns no points.
    Catholic church within walking distance (computed from OpenStreetMap)None mapped within 3 milesComputed from OpenStreetMap church locations.
  • Partly: the school meets some of this item and earns part of the points.
    Published weekly schedule of Mass, confession, and adoration1 to 5 times a week (5 weekly times documented: 5 Mass, 0 confession, 0 adoration.)Computed from the verified Mass, confession, and adoration times listed on this page (each day a time is offered counts once).

Grades come from the documented indicators under the published rubric. “Not enough information” does not mean the school lacks it.

Strengths

  • Catholic Mass is listed on campus on Sundays and Monday through Thursday.
    Sources (1)
    1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “Catholic Mass | Sunday | 9-10 a.m. | Polaris Hall, Main Forum”
      Catholic Mass is listed on Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m. in Polaris Hall, Main Forum.
      “Daily Mass | Monday-Thursday | 5:15-6 p.m. | Polaris Hall, East Seminar Room”
      Daily Mass is listed Monday through Thursday, 5:15 to 6 p.m., in Polaris Hall, East Seminar Room.
  • The Catholic community lists two annual retreats and sacramental preparation.
    Sources (1)
    1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “In addition to daily and weekend worship services, the Catholic community at the Academy offers retreats, pastoral care, religious education and sacramental preparation.”
      The Catholic community offers worship, retreats, pastoral care, religious education and sacramental preparation.
      “planning and executing two annual retreats and leading the Cadet Catholic Parish Advisory Council.”
      Cadets plan and run two annual Catholic retreats and lead the Cadet Catholic Parish Advisory Council.

Concerns

  • The Cadet Chapel, which houses the Catholic chapel, is closed for repairs with an estimated completion in 2028.
    Sources (1)
    1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
      “The Cadet Chapel is closed for necessary repairs with an estimated completion date of 2028.”
      The Cadet Chapel is closed for repairs, with an estimated completion in 2028.

Know something we missed? Suggest a correction.

The Catholic center

Cadet Chaplain Office and Catholic community

  • Address: 2348 Sijan Drive, Suite 100, United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840
  • Location: On campus
  • Facilities: Catholic chapel in the Cadet Chapel (building closed for repairs; estimated completion 2028)

View on map ↗

Source: usafa.edu, verified Oct. 14, 2026, usafa.edu, verified Oct. 14, 2026, usafa.edu, verified Oct. 14, 2026

Catholic clubs and student life

5 groups and regular activities · 1 on campus, 0 off campus, 4 location not published

Liturgy and prayer 1

  • Catholic worship ministries (choir, praise team, ushers, lectors, altar servers, Eucharistic ministers)On campus
    During Catholic worship services
    Cadets serve in these roles during Catholic worship services.
    usafa.edu

Faith formation 1

  • Sacramental preparation and religious education
    The Catholic community offers sacramental preparation and religious education.
    usafa.edu

Clubs and groups 2

  • Cadet Catholic Parish Advisory Council
    Cadet-led council of the Catholic community.
    usafa.edu
  • FOCUS
    FOCUS lists the academy among the campuses where it serves Catholic students.
    focus.org

Retreats 1

  • Two annual Catholic retreats
    Cadets plan and run two annual Catholic retreats.
    usafa.edu

Everything listed is published by the school, its campus ministry, or the parish. Ask the campus minister what’s happening this semester.

Catholic campus ministry

Sources (2)
  1. Cadet Chapel | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/facilities/cadet-chapel · verified Oct. 14, 2026
    “Catholic Mass | Sunday | 9-10 a.m. | Polaris Hall, Main Forum”
    Catholic Mass is listed on Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m. in Polaris Hall, Main Forum.
    “In addition to daily and weekend worship services, the Catholic community at the Academy offers retreats, pastoral care, religious education and sacramental preparation.”
    The Catholic community offers worship, retreats, pastoral care, religious education and sacramental preparation.
    “It serves as an all-faith center of worship for cadets and includes Protestant, Catholic, Jewish and Buddhist chapels”
    The Cadet Chapel includes a Catholic chapel.
    “The Cadet Chapel is closed for necessary repairs with an estimated completion date of 2028.”
    The Cadet Chapel is closed for repairs, with an estimated completion in 2028.
  2. Spiritual Life | United States Air Force Academyusafa.edu/cadet-life/cadet-support-services/spiritual-life · verified Oct. 14, 2026
    “Cadet Chaplain Office 2348 Sijan Drive, Suite 100 United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840 (719) 333-2636”
    The Cadet Chaplain Office is at 2348 Sijan Drive, Suite 100, with phone 333-2636.

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Academic Excellence

AAcademic Excellence: Strong (grade A): 85 to 100 points out of 100 on what official sources document. Grades need sources for at least 60% of the checklist.
98 of 100
From federal data, on fixed published scales.

Each measure counts for the share shown.

  • Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.88%
  • First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.97%
  • Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.SAT 1,350 · ACT 29.5
  • Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.7 to 1
  • Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$35,824

Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.

Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))

Cost and value

Federal data, shown separately. Cost, debt, and earnings are never part of any grade.

Undergraduate students
Fall enrollment (IPEDS)
4,124
Total students4,124
Average net price (per year)
After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid
—
Cost of attendance (per year)—
Median federal debt at graduation—
Graduation rate
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time
88%
First-year retention97%
Median earnings 10 years after entry—
Admission rate14%
Students receiving Pell grants—
Admission test scores (middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores)
Average SAT1350
SAT reading & writing620–710
SAT math610–730
ACT composite26–33
Test policyRequired

Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.

Local Church

Diocese of Colorado Springs

The see is currently vacant. The Very Reverend Kyle Ingels, Diocesan Administrator.

Source: usccb.org, archden.org, verified Oct. 7, 2026.

Diocese determined from the county, using the diocese’s county list (Wikipedia). Confirm with the diocese.

About this school’s data

Questions families ask

Is United States Air Force Academy a Catholic college?
No. United States Air Force Academy is not a Catholic college. Catholic School Compass rates the Catholic life on its campus instead. Catholic students are served by Catholic community of the Cadet Chapel.
What is United States Air Force Academy’s Catholic Life Score?
73 out of 100 (grade C). It measures Catholic life on campus: campus ministry, priests, Mass and confession, student groups, and nearby parishes, together with academics.
Where is Mass celebrated at United States Air Force Academy?
Mass is listed at Polaris Hall, Main Forum, Polaris Hall and East Seminar Room. Days and times are on this page; please confirm with the parish or campus ministry before you go.

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