U.S. Air Force Academy
Image: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The U.S. Air Force Academy is an elite public university and military service academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The most popular programs tend to be in STEM, business, and social sciences.
Affordability: The Air Force Academy provides full scholarships to all students in exchange for military service. "Although the commitment length depends on a cadet’s career and other opportunities, including graduate or medical school, all graduates must serve at least five years on active duty and three as inactive reserve after graduation. Graduates who complete pilot training have a longer service commitment" (https://www.usafa.edu/about/faqs/).
Rankings, Recognition:
Popular Majors (NCES):
Business Administration
Aerospace
Computer Science
Biology
Operations Research
Behavioral Sciences
International Studies
Civil Engineering
Economics
Admissions, enrollment, graduation rates (NCES):
4,181 undergraduates
12% acceptance rate
75% enrolled
86% graduation rate