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Colorado College vs United States Air Force Academy

United States Air Force Academy is highly selective with a 13.9% acceptance rate, making it harder to get into than Colorado College (20.0%).

Admissions & Outcomes

United States Air Force Academy has a higher yield rate (79.3%), meaning a larger share of admitted students choose to enroll — a strong signal of student preference. Colorado College has a higher median SAT (1450 vs 1350).

Colorado College

Colorado Springs, CO

Acceptance Rate
20.0%
13.9%
Applicants (2023)
7,532
9,543
Median SAT
1450
1350
Yield Rate
34.3%
79.3%
6-Year Graduation Rate
86.8%
88.1%
Median Earnings (10yr)
$65,222
N/A
Median Earnings (6yr)
$47,611
N/A
Median Debt
$18,257
N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$60,390
N/A
Room & Board
$13,392
N/A

Net Price by Family Income

Net price is what you actually pay after grants and scholarships — often far less than the sticker price. It varies dramatically by family income.

Family Income
Colorado College
United States Air Force Academy
$0 – $30k
$9,217
N/A
$30k – $48k
$15,477
N/A
$48k – $75k
$12,568
N/A
$75k – $110k
N/A
N/A
$110k+
$44,141
N/A

Net price data from College Scorecard. Run each school's net price calculator for a personalized estimate based on your family's finances.

Financial Aid

Institutional grants come directly from the school's endowment and don't need to be repaid. A high institutional grant rate means the school is investing its own funds in affordability.

Metric
Colorado College
United States Air Force Academy
Students Receiving Grants
57%
N/A
Average Grant Amount
$47,814
N/A
Pell Grant Recipients
14%
N/A
Institutional Grant Rate
56%
N/A
Avg Institutional Grant
$46,019
N/A

Highest-Earning Majors

Median earnings within two years of graduation. Your choice of major often has a bigger impact on lifetime earnings than the school name on your diploma.

Colorado College

  • 1 Economics
    $46,087
  • 2 Political Science and Government
    $37,568
  • 3 Sociology
    $25,194
  • 4 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
    $21,508
  • 5 English Language and Literature, General
    $20,482

Most Popular Majors

The most popular majors by number of degrees awarded. This gives you a sense of each school's academic strengths and where students concentrate.

Colorado College

  • 1 Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology
  • 2 Political Science and Government
  • 3 Economics
  • 4 Natural Resources Conservation and Research
  • 5 Natural Resources Conservation and Research

United States Air Force Academy

  • 1 Business Administration, Management and Operations
  • 2 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
  • 3 International/Global Studies
  • 4 Computer Science
  • 5 Systems Engineering

Campus & Student Body

Enrollment size, diversity, and retention paint a picture of campus culture. A high retention rate means students are satisfied enough to return after freshman year.

Metric
Colorado College
United States Air Force Academy
Total Enrollment
2,173
4,124
Retention Rate
95%
96%
Women
58%
29%
International Students
5%
1%
Asian
5%
7%
Hispanic/Latino
11%
12%
Black
3%
6%
White
68%
63%

For International Students

Key cost and campus considerations for students coming from outside the US.

Colorado College

  • International students5%
  • Tuition (international)$60,390
  • Est. total cost/year$74,256
  • School typePublic

United States Air Force Academy

  • International students1%
  • Tuition (international)N/A
  • School typePublic

What international students should know

  • International students pay out-of-state tuition at public universities. Private universities charge the same tuition for all students.
  • Most federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) is not available to international students. Look for institutional aid and merit scholarships.
  • F-1 visa holders can work on-campus during the school year and use CPT/OPT for internships and post-graduation employment.
  • Schools with a higher international student percentage typically have stronger support services — dedicated international offices, visa advising, and cultural programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is it harder to get into Colorado College or United States Air Force Academy?

United States Air Force Academy is more selective with a 13.9% acceptance rate, compared to 20.0%. Both are competitive schools that receive tens of thousands of applications each year.

What is the graduation rate at Colorado College vs United States Air Force Academy?

United States Air Force Academy has a higher 6-year graduation rate at 88.1%, compared to 86.8%. A high graduation rate signals strong academic support, student engagement, and a campus culture where students thrive.

Which school has more international students: Colorado College or United States Air Force Academy?

Colorado College has a larger international student population at 5% of enrollment. A higher international student percentage often means stronger support services for visa holders, including dedicated international student offices, OPT/CPT guidance, and cultural programming.

What are the highest-paying majors at Colorado College and United States Air Force Academy?

At Colorado College, Economics graduates earn a median of $46,087 within two years. Your choice of major often has a bigger impact on earnings than which school you attend.

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