Ok, here goes...
USAFA has a LOT of opportunites (some of which are mandatory). If you are looking for a lot of AF-related training while in college, USAFA is probably the place to be. It is an immersive experience in AF culture. One of the big benefits, IMO, is the training opportunities. Some programs at the academy are unique or very competitive for ROTC cadets, while academy cadets are voluntold to do them. A couple examples would be Space 251 and GE. Some of the Space cadre were ROTC cadets, and had worked hard to get there. The cadets in Space 251 were placed into the program because they did not get into the one they wanted. In Global Engagement, we had 1 ROTC cadet. He worked hard and volunteered for the program, while the academy cadets were automatically placed into it. USAFA cadets get advantages in training opportunities over ROTC cadets. In the 3 years I've been here, I've done BCT, Global Engagement, Space, Soaring, a 3-week internship at Dover AFB (Ops), and helped run enlisted basic at Lackland AFB for 6 weeks. Through those programs and other academy stuff I've seen the Atlas rocket factory, the inside of an ICBM control center, flown gliders, done a mock deployment, seen both sides of basic training, visited Spain, and have been trained on marksmanship and tactics (part through basic/GE and partly through the shooting team). I would not have been able to do most of these things elsewhere (or at least not for free). To me, the training opportunities are a big deal.
From your comments, it sounds like independent learning and self-achievement are important to you. Some ROTC detachments will be better for this than USAFA. USAFA has been compared to "drinking from a firehose" and it is often true. There are times when you have more work than time to complete it. This doesn't leave much time to go to the library and spend a couple hours reading your topic of choice. It can be done, but it is difficult to
make the time to do it (unless it is a major priority to you. I actually commented to someone last night that I wish I had more free time to wander the library, because it contains a LOT of strange and interesting material (we found an shelf of WWII propoganda, and I've seen a shelf of DoD reports on nuclear tests--the originals as far as I can tell).
Also, we are required to do a lot of things. Some things which may be considered extra in other places are mandatory here. If you are the kind of person who takes pride in going above and beyond, USAFA will raise that bar in some areas...but it will also limit some of the discretion for doing things your way.
If this sounded biased toward USAFA, that is because I am.
I get a lot of satisfaction for overcomming things thrown at me and am happy to get the opportunities I've experienced here. This is a "fit" for me. Hopefully, some other cadets can give you their perspective on their experience.
(You can also search for the "Pros and Cons of the Acadedemy" thread, although that did go into flame-war mode partway into it.)