Colorado State vs. USAFA

Comparable Facts

Compare Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO with United States Air Force Academy in USAF Academy, Colorado on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado State University Fort Collins is larger than USAFA based on total student enrollment (34,096 students vs. 4,114 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Colorado State University Fort Collins is located in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting); United States Air Force Academy is in USAF Academy, Colorado (Large City setting).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. United States Air Force Academy is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1; United States Air Force Academy 7:1.

Colorado State vs. USAFA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Colorado State or USAFA? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• In-state tuition differs between Colorado State University Fort Collins and USAFA ($13,373.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between Colorado State and United States Air Force Academy ($34,783.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado State University Fort Collins than at United States Air Force Academy (69% vs. 0%).

Colorado State vs. USAFA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Colorado State or USAFA? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USAFA and Colorado State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at United States Air Force Academy (1340) is 150 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming USAFA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Colorado State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290; United States Air Force Academy 1230/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29; United States Air Force Academy 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Colorado State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); USAFA - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Colorado State Jul 1, 2027; USAFA Dec 31, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USAFA students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than USAFA (14.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.1% at Colorado State vs. 78.5% at USAFA.

Colorado State vs. USAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Colorado State and USAFA? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.