Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Colorado Springs, Colorado
96.6% Acceptance Rate
University of Colorado Colorado Springs — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
96.6%Acceptance Rate
3.36Avg GPA
1140Avg SAT
25Avg ACT
$23,713Annual Cost
$54,659Grad Salary
26.3%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
96.6%
Avg GPA
3.36
Avg SAT
1140
Avg ACT
25
Selectivity
Inclusive
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1020–1240
ACT Middle 50%
21–28
Avg Net Price
$16,431
Need-Based Aid
26.3% receive Pell
University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public research university that emphasizes academic excellence, professional development, and community impact in a stunning mountain setting. Admissions are competitive, focusing on the strength of a student's high school record and their readiness for a large, diverse, and research-focused campus environment. The university seeks intellectually ambitious students who are ready to contribute to its vibrant campus community and take advantage of its extensive array of research and professional opportunities.
Successful applicants should highlight their success in rigorous coursework and their initiative in school or community projects. Demonstrating a proactive approach to learning; such as participating in research or relevant extracurricular fields?can significantly strengthen an application. A strong personal statement reflects a clear understanding of how the university's research-intensive, mountain-proximate environment will prepare the student for their specific career aspirations, as the admissions team prioritizes students with a focused, ambitious vision.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs Acceptance Rate
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 96.6% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in. They are worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Inclusive
Selectivity scale: Inclusive — 96.6% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.36 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.16 – 3.35
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 2.91
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
University of Colorado Colorado Springs Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
University of Colorado Colorado Springs follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline, though the priority deadline of November 15 is recommended for the best chances of admission and financial aid.
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 97 days left — Fall Priority
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
UCCS reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Fall Priority
November 15
Fall Final
August 1
💡 The scholarship deadline (November 15, 2026) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
UCCS GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at UCCS is 3.36. That makes admissions here competitive, but not extremely selective. Most admitted students carry a mix of A's and B's.
In the 3.06–3.36 range, a high SAT or ACT score still carries real weight.
Most schools report GPA on a weighted or unweighted 4.0 scale differently. For an unweighted profile like this, students with AP/IB coursework typically carry a weighted GPA of 3.56–3.76.UCCS GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: Holistic review is critical for admission.
Recommended Strategy: Requires Contextual Factors (Leadership, hardship, or talent).
Where your GPA falls in this range shapes what the rest of your application needs to do:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.36 – 4.00
Strategic Reach
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.16 – 3.35
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
2.96 – 3.15
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 2.95
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Acceptance rate is consistently reported around 97% across sources, among the least selective in the CU System
- No essay or letters of recommendation required for applicants meeting standard GPA/test benchmarks (~3.0 GPA, ACT 20+/SAT 1070+); both become central for applicants below those thresholds
- NSA/DHS-designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) since 2014, current through 2027; first CU system school to secure the federal CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program
- Rolling admissions with no fixed deadline, but early application (opens Sept. 1) improves scholarship priority eligibility
- Rigor Over Raw Number: A slightly lower GPA (say 3.8) paired with multiple AP or IB courses often outweighs a flat 4.0 from a standard curriculum.
- Trajectory Matters: A lower start in 9th or 10th grade, followed by a clear upward trend senior year, reads as academic resilience rather than a weakness.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at UCCS
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on University of Colorado Colorado Springs's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
✅ Verified Data: Institutional records for 2026.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if UCCS is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into UCCS Without SAT or ACT?
UCCS considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt. Most applicants test 2–3 times.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs Average SAT Score: 1140
The average SAT score of admitted students at University of Colorado Colorado Springs is 1140 on the 1600-point scale.
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1140 — Less Competitive
This average is slightly below the national mean SAT score.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1240 SAT or 28 ACT) to stand out. Below average? University of Colorado Colorado Springs allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
If your score is below 1020, retaking the SAT is strongly recommended to improve your chances at UCCS. Retaking multiple times is completely normal. Most competitive applicants sit for it two or three times. There's no official limit on attempts.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 555 | 500 | 610 |
| SAT Reading | 575 | 520 | 630 |
| SAT Composite | 1140 | 1020 | 1240 |
Below 1020, you're behind most admitted students; at 1240 or above, you're ahead of 75% of them. (25th/75th percentile = the score below which that share of admitted students fall.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1150
Can I get into University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) with a 1250 SAT?
A 1250 SAT puts you ahead of most of UCCS's admitted class, but admissions still weighs GPA, course rigor, and essays alongside it. A strong score opens the door; the rest of your profile decides what happens next.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) ACT Requirements
The average ACT score at UCCS is 25.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 25 — Slightly Competitive
This sits close to the national average ACT score.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 23 | 18 | 27 |
| ACT English | 24 | 20 | 28 |
| ACT Composite | 25 | 21 | 28 |
Can I get into University of Colorado Colorado Springs with a 28 ACT?
A 28 ACT puts you ahead of 75% of UCCS's admitted students. That's a strong position, though the ACT is only one benchmark among several that admissions weighs.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT scores four separate sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, each on a 1–36 scale. A noticeably weak section, especially Science at STEM-focused schools, stands out to reviewers, so it's worth checking your section breakdown for outliers before applying.
Your ACT score clears the first filter, but GPA, course rigor, extracurricular depth, recommendations, and essays are what carry an application the rest of the way at UCCS.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for UCCS
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into UCCS is the easy part. What matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Understand the essay is conditional, not universal - use it strategically if GPA/test scores are borderline
UCCS does not require an essay for typical admitted students who clear the GPA and test thresholds (roughly a 3.0+ weighted GPA with an ACT of 20+ or SAT of 1070+), but for applicants below those benchmarks, the essay and any letters of recommendation become the actual basis for committee review. A student with a 2.7 GPA shouldn't treat this as "UCCS doesn't require essays" - for them, the essay is the entire case for admission, and it should specifically address grades, life circumstances affecting academic performance, and forward-looking goals, per UCCS's own guidance on what the committee is looking for.
Route cybersecurity-interested students toward the CAE-CD designation as a concrete selling point, not a vague "strong program" claim
UCCS holds the NSA/DHS-designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) status, currently good through 2027, and is the first school in the CU system to secure the federal CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS) program - which funds tuition in exchange for post-graduation government cybersecurity service. A student with this specific career interest should be pointed to the SFS program and the O'Neil Center for Cybersecurity Education and Research by name, since this is a funded, structured pathway rather than a generic "good for tech majors" recommendation.
Use provisional admission to a professional college as a backup plan, not a rejection
Students applying directly to Nursing, Business, or Engineering who don't meet that college's specific admission criteria are still admitted to the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences and given a path to meet professional college requirements later - this is a built-in safety net, not a dead end, and should be explained to the student as part of the original plan rather than discovered after a disappointing initial placement.
Apply early for scholarship priority, since UCCS has no fixed admissions deadline
Because UCCS runs rolling admissions with no technical application deadline, students often under-prioritize timing - but early applications are reviewed sooner and may have priority eligibility for UCCS scholarships, and the preferred timeline opens the application September 1 with FAFSA following October 1. A student aiming for merit aid should apply within the first few weeks of the cycle opening, not "whenever it's convenient before the school year ends."
Expert Insight:
A recurring misstep is students or families assuming UCCS's roughly 97% acceptance rate means admission decisions are purely a formality, which leads them to submit late, skip the optional essay even when their stats are below threshold, or delay scholarship applications. High acceptance does not mean unconditional acceptance - applicants below the GPA/test benchmarks genuinely need the essay and letters of recommendation reviewed by committee, and treating the process as a rubber stamp can result in either denial or a missed scholarship cycle.
UCCS Profile
Full Name
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)
City
Colorado Springs
State
Colorado
ZIP Code
80918
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a UCCS Degree Worth It?
At $23,713/year against a $54,659 median graduate salary, UCCS is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation. The numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $70,600, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.87%.
How much does a degree from UCCS Cost?
The sticker price is $23,713/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $16,431.
26.3% of students receive a Pell Grant and 35.1% take federal loans at UCCS. File your FAFSA early and list UCCS as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a UCCS Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $54,659. That's about 35% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than University of Colorado Colorado Springs. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University at Montgomery | Montgomery, AL | 1090 | 21 |
| University of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | 1119 | 23 |
| Spring Hill College | Mobile, AL | 1090 | 22 |
| Tuskegee University | Tuskegee, AL | 1121 | 22 |
| Grand Canyon University | Phoenix, AZ | 1095 | 22 |
| Arkansas State University | Jonesboro, AR | 1119 | 22 |
| University of Central Arkansas | Conway, AR | 1117 | 22 |
| University of La Verne | La Verne, CA | 1116 | 22 |
| Pacific Union College | Angwin, CA | 1093 | 22 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver, CO | 1119 | 24 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as University of Colorado Colorado Springs. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntingdon College | Montgomery, AL | 1148 | 23 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison, CO | 1130 | 25 |
| Lynn University | Boca Raton, FL | 1136 | 25 |
| University of West Florida | Pensacola, FL | 1137 | 24 |
| Georgia College & State University | Milledgeville, GA | 1150 | 24 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than University of Colorado Colorado Springs. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham-Southern College | Birmingham, AL | 1197 | 24 |
| University of Mobile | Mobile, AL | 1220 | 24 |
| Samford University | Birmingham, AL | 1203 | 26 |
| University of Arkansas | Fayetteville, AR | 1174 | 25 |
| Harding University | Searcy, AR | 1187 | 25 |
Degree Programs at UCCS
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About UCCS Admissions
Median graduate earnings at University of Colorado Colorado Springs run about $54,659 a year.
At about $23,713 a year, University of Colorado Colorado Springs is on the more affordable end.
About 26.3% receive a Pell Grant at University of Colorado Colorado Springs. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
At 96.6%, University of Colorado Colorado Springs's acceptance rate is on the more attainable end compared to top-tier selective schools.
Admitted students at University of Colorado Colorado Springs average a 3.36 GPA.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs doesn't publish a hard GPA floor, but landing at or above 3.06 keeps you in the typical applicant range; below it, lean on essays and recommendations.
Below 2.96, University of Colorado Colorado Springs becomes a harder reach, though a strong test score, meaningful activities, and AP/IB coursework can still make a real case.
A strong SAT score matters at University of Colorado Colorado Springs — aim above 1140, ideally within the 1020–1240 range admitted students typically fall in.
The application deadline for University of Colorado Colorado Springs is November 15 for Fall Priority applicants. Rolling Admissions is also offered, so applying early improves your chances.
The application fee is 50. Fee waivers may be available. Check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is November 15, 2026. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes, transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most, along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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