USAFA vs. Nebraska

Comparable Facts

Compare United States Air Force Academy in USAF Academy, Colorado with University of Nebraska Lincoln in Lincoln, NE on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Nebraska Lincoln is larger than USAFA based on total student enrollment (24,393 students vs. 4,114 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USAFA vs. Nebraska Cost Comparison

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

• In-state tuition differs between University of Nebraska Lincoln and USAFA ($10,434.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between Nebraska and United States Air Force Academy ($28,584.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nebraska Lincoln than at United States Air Force Academy (94% vs. 0%).

USAFA vs. Nebraska Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USAFA or Nebraska? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Nebraska and USAFA.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at United States Air Force Academy (1340) is 130 points higher than at Nebraska (1210).
• Incoming USAFA students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Nebraska).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: United States Air Force Academy 1230/1440; University of Nebraska Lincoln 1098/1330.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: United States Air Force Academy 26/33; University of Nebraska Lincoln 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USAFA - Required; Nebraska - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USAFA Dec 31, 2026; Nebraska May 1, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman USAFA students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at Nebraska (3.63).
• Nebraska has a higher acceptance rate (87.5%) than USAFA (14.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 78.5% at USAFA vs. 29.8% at Nebraska.

USAFA vs. Nebraska Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USAFA and Nebraska? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Nebraska Lincoln's six-year graduation rate is 67%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for USAFA.
• Graduates from University of Nebraska Lincoln have median earnings of about $49,600 about ten years after starting college (College Scorecard). Comparable earnings data is not available for USAFA.

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.