Location: USAF Academy, CO•Admission Rate: 14%•Avg SAT: 1362
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$72,698
Est. from CO median (4 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$25,240
Est. from CO median (4 programs)

Analysis

The Air Force Academy presents a fundamentally different value equation than traditional civil engineering programs. While comparable programs in Colorado suggest first-year earnings around $73,000 against median debt of $25,000, Academy graduates serve five-year active duty commitments where compensation packages include housing, healthcare, and immediate career advancement that civilian salaries don't capture. The estimated figures here reflect what peer programs produce, but they obscure the Academy's defining feature: graduates typically leave with minimal to no educational debt because tuition is covered by their service commitment.

That debt estimate of $25,000 warrants skepticism for this institution specifically. Most Academy graduates incur only modest costs for personal expenses during their four years, making their financial position dramatically stronger than the state median suggests. The real trade-off isn't financial—it's about whether your child wants a military career path. Civil engineering at peer Colorado programs like CSU-Fort Collins or CU Boulder produces similar earnings outcomes with more immediate civilian career flexibility, but without the service obligation or the comprehensive benefits package military service provides.

For families evaluating this program, the financial calculation is straightforward: if your child is committed to military service, the Academy offers exceptional value with virtually no debt burden. The estimated figures based on other Colorado programs simply don't apply in any meaningful way to an institution where education is exchanged for service rather than purchased with loans.

Where United States Air Force Academy Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all civil engineering bachelors's programs nationally

United States Air Force Academy (estimated ±10%)Other civil engineering programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Colorado

Civil Engineering bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Colorado (5 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
United States Air Force AcademyUSAF Academy—$72,698*—$25,240*—
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins$12,896$73,326*$78,010$25,480*0.35
University of Colorado BoulderBoulder$16,430$73,033*$75,539$20,500*0.28
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver$10,017$72,362*$76,953$38,460*0.53
Colorado School of MinesGolden$21,186$70,301*$79,720$25,000*0.36
National Median—$69,574*—$24,500*0.35
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with civil engineering graduates

Architectural and Engineering Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as architecture and engineering or research and development in these fields.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers

Define, plan, or execute biofuels/biodiesel research programs that evaluate alternative feedstock and process technologies with near-term commercial potential.

$167,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Petroleum Engineers

Devise methods to improve oil and gas extraction and production and determine the need for new or modified tool designs. Oversee drilling and offer technical advice.

$141,280/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Environmental Engineers

Research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. Work may include waste treatment, site remediation, or pollution control technology.

$104,170/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers

Conduct subsurface surveys to identify the characteristics of potential land or mining development sites. May specify the ground support systems, processes, and equipment for safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction or underground construction activities. May inspect areas for unsafe geological conditions, equipment, and working conditions. May design, implement, and coordinate mine safety programs.

$101,020/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Civil Engineers

Perform engineering duties in planning, designing, and overseeing construction and maintenance of building structures and facilities, such as roads, railroads, airports, bridges, harbors, channels, dams, irrigation projects, pipelines, power plants, and water and sewage systems.

$99,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Transportation Engineers

Develop plans for surface transportation projects, according to established engineering standards and state or federal construction policy. Prepare designs, specifications, or estimates for transportation facilities. Plan modifications of existing streets, highways, or freeways to improve traffic flow.

$99,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water/Wastewater Engineers

Design or oversee projects involving provision of potable water, disposal of wastewater and sewage, or prevention of flood-related damage. Prepare environmental documentation for water resources, regulatory program compliance, data management and analysis, and field work. Perform hydraulic modeling and pipeline design.

$99,590/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the application of physical laws and principles of engineering for the development of machines, materials, instruments, processes, and services. Includes teachers of subjects such as chemical, civil, electrical, industrial, mechanical, mineral, and petroleum engineering. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Engineers, All Other

All engineers not listed separately.

Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar

Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.

Mechatronics Engineers

Research, design, develop, or test automation, intelligent systems, smart devices, or industrial systems control.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in CO. Actual outcomes may vary.