CU Denver vs. USAFA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver, CO with United States Air Force Academy in USAF Academy, Colorado on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is larger than USAFA based on total student enrollment (23,124 students vs. 4,114 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus is located in Denver, CO (Large City setting); United States Air Force Academy is in USAF Academy, Colorado (Large City setting).
• University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 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: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 17:1; United States Air Force Academy 7:1.

CU Denver vs. USAFA Cost Comparison

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

• In-state tuition differs between University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus and USAFA ($10,383.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between CU Denver and United States Air Force Academy ($29,391.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus than at United States Air Force Academy (86% vs. 0%).

CU Denver vs. USAFA Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CU Denver 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 CU Denver.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at United States Air Force Academy (1340) is 240 points higher than at CU Denver (1100).
• Incoming USAFA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at CU Denver).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 980/1220; United States Air Force Academy 1230/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus 23/32; United States Air Force Academy 26/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CU Denver - Test optional; USAFA - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: CU Denver Aug 1, 2027; USAFA Dec 31, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USAFA students have a 0.35 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at CU Denver (3.46).
• CU Denver has a higher acceptance rate (74.7%) than USAFA (14.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.1% at CU Denver vs. 78.5% at USAFA.

CU Denver vs. USAFA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CU Denver 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.