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Colorado School of Mines vs United States Air Force Academy

Colorado School of Mines is a public university in Golden, CO. United States Air Force Academy is a public university in USAF Academy, CO. United States Air Force Academy admits about 14% of applicants and Colorado School of Mines about 61%, making United States Air Force Academy the harder of the two to get into. About 88% of students graduate at United States Air Force Academy, compared with 81% at Colorado School of Mines.

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Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO · Public

United States Air Force Academy

USAF Academy, CO · Public
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Golden, CO
USAF Academy, CO
Setting
Suburban
Rural
Undergraduates
6,155
4,114
Acceptance rate
61%
14%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.6–4
3.45–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1320–1480
1230–1440
ACT (middle 50%)
29–33
26–33
Test policy
Test optional
Required
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$28,690
Not reported
Full cost / yr
$40,560
Not reported
In-state tuition
$21,914
Not reported
Out-of-state tuition
$45,824
Not reported
Application fee
$50
Not reported
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$16,849
Not reported
$30k - $48k
$18,162
Not reported
$48k - $75k
$22,192
Not reported
$75k - $110k
$28,183
Not reported
Over $110k
$35,112
Not reported
Outcomes
Graduation rate
81%
88%
Freshman retention
93%
97%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$82,950
Not reported
Median earnings (10 yr)
$97,335
Not reported
Median debt at graduation
$23,000
Not reported
Student body
Pell grant recipients
14%
Not reported
First-generation students
15%
Not reported
International students
3%
1%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Colorado School of Mines or United States Air Force Academy harder to get into?
United States Air Force Academy is harder to get into. It admits about 14% of applicants, compared with 61% at Colorado School of Mines. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is bigger, Colorado School of Mines or United States Air Force Academy?
Colorado School of Mines is the larger of the two, with about 6,155 undergraduates against 4,114 at United States Air Force Academy.
Does Colorado School of Mines or United States Air Force Academy have a better graduation rate?
United States Air Force Academy has the higher graduation rate, at about 88% against 81% at Colorado School of Mines.
Do Colorado School of Mines and United States Air Force Academy require SAT or ACT scores?
Colorado School of Mines is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. United States Air Force Academy requires SAT or ACT scores.
What SAT scores do Colorado School of Mines and United States Air Force Academy look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1320–1480 at Colorado School of Mines and 1230–1440 at United States Air Force Academy. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

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1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school