Do cadets actually outrank non-commissioned officers?

Hell no. They aren't even in the food chain yet. Once they commission they count until then they are lemmings playing army. IMO they are less important than E-1s until they commission. At least the private is actually in the army and not playing army while in college. So not no salute or honorific until they commission.
(I'm a mustang E6 w/ transition to officer retired as LTC)

If memory serves me well, although they are not commissioned officers, they are often granted the status of a high ranking NCO and do outrank you. However their authority is limited and falls under the scrutiny of the officer they are assigned to during their internship.

Now did I follow my advice.....ehhh.

Back when I was active, I dealt with two midshipmen who wanted me to salute them. I refused and told them that they weren't commissioned officers and in accordance with military customs and traditions, I was not obligated. Needless to say, my OIC and I had lengthy discussion in which I did refer to them as gentlemen or sir as an acknowledgement that they were future officers, but more importantly, out of respect for my OIC who was ready to throttle me and my stubbornness.

Until and unless a cadet is actually commissioned, there is no way they can "outrank" an NCO.

My experience is that NCOs and Sr NCOs handle these young cadets with professional expertise, courtesy and diplomacy, only calling in an officer when the cadet steps too far out of line. At that time, the officer is obligated to help "set the cadet straight" as to where authority actually, technically and regulatorily resides. Spoiler Alert: it is NOT with the cadet (irrespective of his/her institution -- Academy, OTS/OCS or ROTC).

They do not. They are only 3rd Lieutenants. I did some training with some Cadets back in the 80's. They were very quickly put in their place.

I can never forget the time we had a bunch of cadets during summer training,how they were sleeping in a squad tent(The old OD green canvas field tents of a by gone era. while my detachment might be lucky to catch a wink while on a training excercise patrol. well time to teach a lesson to future "Butter Bars" don't fcuk with the Sgt. Major ! we tied both entrances shut, one of our troops shimmied out on a branch, we threw up some smoke grenades & flash bangs to our buddy who popped them @ threw them down the stove pipe. talk about one hell of a clusterfuck that went on inside from our rude awakening. one of the best times of my military career .Airborne All the Way

Bullshit! They #1 are not of age to serve in the military
#2 have never went to bootcamp. They are pre bootcamp. Like pre school.
#3 see #1

You should not allow this to turn into some contest of will or authority. Both a young CDT, SGT and LT has a lot to learn about leading and management. I suggest you approach it from the perspective of teaching or instilling the right guidance and direction to help develop each into the officer and/or NCO that we need to lead our service for generations to come.
Officially cadet is not a rank. It has no pay grade or place on any service rank structure. It is merely use to train organization, structure, responsibility, etc. to those who otherwise may not know. It is the platform by which we begin to have them understand and exercise these traits. Much like boot camp.

Tell him to go to the mess hall and eat his shit on a shingle.
Nam Vet

They are STUDENTS and will not obtain the RANK OF 2ND UNTIL GRADUATION......

Cadets are cocooned larvae having no functional significance apart from the promise of their destiny - to be lovely butterflies (maybe moths). Ergo, nobody cares what their technical "rank" is.
"Sergeant, I outrank every NCO in the Army."
"Got it. Next slide."