Situated atop a hill overlooking a wilderness park, Soka University of America is located 2 miles from the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. Although the college was founded on the Buddhist principles of peace, human rights and the sanctity of life, the school maintains no religious affiliation.Sokas unique curriculum emphasizes leadership and contributive citizenship. Students are required to study a non-native language and study abroad in a country where that language is spoken, the cost of which is included in tuition. A bachelors degree in liberal arts is the only undergraduate degree available, but students can choose from concentrations in environmental studies, humanities, international studies or social and behavioral sciences.The school fields a handful of varsity sports teams for men and women and is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and Association of Independent Institutions. There is no Greek life on campus, but students can choose from nearly 40 student organizations to become involved with. All students are required to live on campus. International students from more than 30 countries make up nearly half of the undergraduate population. Notable Soka graduates include Tahereh Mafi, author of the New York Times best-selling book Shatter Me.

The United States Air Force Academy, commonly called Air Force, is a military service academy located just outside of Colorado Springs, Colo., about 60 miles from Denver. Students at Air Force, called cadets, adhere to a strict daily schedule that does not allow for much free time, though there are a number of extracurricular clubs and activities. Incoming cadets attend a five-week training program intended to prepare them for military life. Cadets are required to participate in athletics either intercollegiate or intramural and must pass a fitness test every semester. The Fighting Falcons, Air Forces athletic teams, compete in NCAAs Division I and are known for their traditional rivalries with fellow service academies Armyand Navy.Academics at Air Force center on a core curriculum that all cadets must complete. Although the core curriculum comprises the majority of the academic experience, cadets must also choose a specialized field of study from more than 30 possible majors. Military training continues throughout the four years at Air Force, including courses and instruction in aviation and airmanship. Air Force, like the other service academies, is governed by an honor code that states: "We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does." Distinguished alumni include Gregg Popovich, head coach of the NBA San Antonio Spurs, and Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot made famous for safely landing a commercial flight in the Hudson River near New York City in 2009.