Non-Profit Private
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Colorado Springs, Colorado
20% Acceptance Rate
Colorado College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
20%Acceptance Rate
3.98Avg GPA
1445Avg SAT
33Avg ACT
$83,228Annual Cost
$65,222Grad Salary
13.8%Pell Grant
Acceptance Rate
20%
Avg GPA
3.98
Avg SAT
1445
Avg ACT
33
Selectivity
Highly Competitive
Institution Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
1365–1520
ACT Middle 50%
31–34
Need-Based Aid
13.8% receive Pell
Colorado College, founded in 1874, is a nationally renowned liberal arts college distinguished by its unique Block Plan, where students focus on one intensive course at a time. Located in Colorado Springs at the foot of Pikes Peak, the college takes full advantage of its spectacular Rocky Mountain setting for field study and outdoor education. Colorado College is particularly strong in environmental science, creative writing, and political science, with opportunities for undergraduate research across all disciplines. The college's 90-acre campus blends historic buildings with modern facilities like the Edith Kinney Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center.
The Block Plan's 3.5-week intensive courses allow for immersive learning experiences, including frequent field trips and hands-on projects. Colorado College's commitment to sustainability is evident in its gold-rated LEED buildings and carbon neutrality pledge. With a student-faculty ratio of 10:1 and an adventurous, intellectually curious student body, the college fosters close mentoring relationships and a vibrant campus culture. Alumni include conservationists, Pulitzer Prize winners, and leaders in diverse fields who credit the Block Plan with teaching them how to focus deeply and think critically.
Colorado College Acceptance Rate
Colorado College admits about 20% of applicants — around 20 per 100 — making it a highly competitive option among colleges in Colorado.
What Colorado College Admissions Looks For
- Clear Intent: Interviews and supplements should show why this school specifically, not just any selective school.
- Consistent Academics: A steady record of A-level performance across core subjects is expected.
- Score Validation: A strong SAT or ACT score can offset a minor GPA dip.
Selectivity at a Glance
Highly Competitive
Selectivity scale: Highly Competitive — 20% acceptance rate
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Grades open the door at Colorado College, but a strong, specific personal statement is often what closes it.
Recommended Academic Profile
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.98 – 4.00
Target Match
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.78 – 3.97
Competitive Reach
Focus on Score Compensation
Below 3.53
Secondary Reach
Requires Contextual Support
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Colorado College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Mark November 1 for Colorado College (Early Action (non-binding) — other plans are listed below).
Key Admission Dates
⏳ 94 days left — Early Action (non-binding)
Early Action (non-binding)
November 1
Early Decision I (binding)
November 1
Early Decision II (binding)
January 15
Regular Action
January 15
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Colorado College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Colorado College is 3.98. That makes admissions here extremely selective. Most admitted students carry straight A's, with very little room for a B.
If your GPA sits between 3.68 and 3.98, a high SAT or ACT score is the most reliable way to compensate.
Note the scale: this figure reflects an unweighted 4.0 GPA. Add AP or IB coursework and the equivalent weighted GPA usually lands around 4.18–4.38.Colorado College GPA & Admission Outlook
Assessment: This tier demands elite, top-of-class academic standing.
Recommended Strategy: Pair the GPA with heavy Course Rigor — AP, IB, or Honors — to back it up.
This range is a rough map — where you land determines what else needs to carry weight in your application:
Candidate GPA Range
Admission Category
Strategic Requirement
3.98 – 4.00
Academic Target
Maintain Rigor & High Testing
3.78 – 3.97
Competitive Match
Focus on SAT/ACT Compensation
3.58 – 3.77
Secondary Reach
Personal Statement & Impact
Below 3.57
Institutional Reach
Requires Significant Contextual Factors
Evaluation Metrics That Matter Here
- Colorado College requires two teacher evaluations, preferably from junior year, from teachers in core subjects - English, math, science, social studies, or foreign language - so plan recommender requests accordingly.
- A counselor letter is recommended but not required, which is a meaningful distinction from peer schools and worth noting if your counselor relationship is limited.
- With roughly 2,000 undergraduates and 80+ majors and minors, CC's small scale means admissions officers genuinely read for whether you'll thrive in an intensely immersive, one-class-at-a-time structure - not just whether you're academically qualified in the abstract.
- Rigor Over Raw Number: Course rigor is read alongside the number itself — a 3.8 with a demanding schedule can beat a 4.0 without one.
- Trajectory Matters: Grades that climb toward graduation tend to matter more than a flat average — the trajectory tells its own story.
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 Colorado College
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Colorado College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
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.
Colorado College Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at Colorado College — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into Colorado College Without SAT or ACT?
Colorado College considers scores when submitted, without requiring them. Prepare well and submit your best attempt — most applicants test 2–3 times.
Colorado College Average SAT Score: 1445
Admitted students at Colorado College average a 1445 SAT (out of 1600).
SAT Competitiveness
SAT 1445 — Very Competitive
Colorado College's SAT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
Key Insight: Aim for the 75th percentile (1520 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. Below average? Colorado College allows Score Choice for the SAT, so a retake only helps — a low sitting never has to be sent.
Scored under 1365? A retake is worth it at Colorado College — two or three sittings is standard for competitive applicants, and there's no cap on how many times you can test.
SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAT Math | 718 | 675 | 760 |
| SAT Reading | 725 | 690 | 760 |
| SAT Composite | 1445 | 1365 | 1520 |
A score under 1365 puts you in the lower quarter of admits; 1520+ puts you ahead of three-quarters of the admitted class. (These percentiles mark where a given share of the admitted class scored at or below.)
View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450
Can I get into Colorado College with a 1500 SAT?
At 1500, your SAT is squarely in Colorado College's favor. That said, admissions staff read the full file — GPA, activities, and essays still carry real weight even with a strong score in hand.
Colorado College ACT Requirements
Colorado College's admitted students average an ACT of 33.
ACT Competitiveness
ACT 33 — Very Competitive
Colorado College's ACT average sits comfortably in the upper range nationally.
ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACT Math | 30 | 28 | 32 |
| ACT English | 34 | 32 | 35 |
| ACT Composite | 33 | 31 | 34 |
Can I get into Colorado College with a 34 ACT?
At 34, you're in the top quarter of Colorado College's admitted class by ACT score. That's a real advantage, but admissions still reads GPA, essays, and activities alongside it.
The ACT's four sections — English, Math, Reading, Science — are each scored independently on a 1–36 scale, and admissions staff do notice a lopsided breakdown. If one section trails the others significantly, that's worth addressing before you apply, particularly for STEM programs where Science carries extra weight.
Beyond the number itself, Colorado College weighs your transcript rigor, activities, recommendations, and essays just as heavily — the ACT opens the door, the rest of your file decides what happens next.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Colorado College
Selective Strategy: Competitive Positioning
At Colorado College, admissions looks for reliable, high-achieving students. The goal is to land as a top-tier applicant — that's what triggers both admission and the best merit aid.
Prove You Understand the Block Plan Before You Apply
Colorado College's entire academic identity rests on the Block Plan - one class at a time, full immersion, for three and a half weeks - and the required supplemental essay explicitly asks why this format serves your educational goals. Don't treat this as a generic "why this school" answer; describe a real past experience of deep, singular focus (a project, a sport, an obsession) and connect it concretely to how you'd thrive without the distraction of juggling four or five classes at once.
Show Mutual Impact, Not Just What You'd Gain
CC's own essay guidance asks not only how the college would impact you but how you would impact the college - community engagement is explicitly valued, so your supplement should name a specific way you'd contribute to campus life, not just describe what CC offers you. One-directional "here's what I'd get from CC" essays underperform against essays that close the loop on mutual contribution.
Self-Select Seriously - CC Is Not a Safety School
Counselors describe CC as highly self-selective: nobody applies as a backup plan, because the Block Plan format is too distinctive and demanding for halfhearted applicants. With an acceptance rate near 22%, demonstrate authentic, specific interest throughout your application rather than treating CC as one more name on a long liberal arts list - generic applications are easy for an experienced admissions team to spot.
Use the Dual Early Decision/Early Action Option Strategically
Colorado College is unusual among highly selective colleges in offering both binding Early Decision and non-binding Early Action simultaneously. If CC is your clear first choice, ED signals the strongest commitment; if you want an early read without forfeiting other options, EA is available - match your choice to your actual certainty level rather than defaulting to whichever sounds more impressive.
Expert Insight: Do not submit a "why CC" essay built around generic praise for small class sizes or a mountain-town location - admissions readers have seen this approach thousands of times. The essay must demonstrate firsthand understanding of how the Block Plan's single-class immersion format would specifically change the way you learn.
Colorado College Profile
Full Name
Colorado College
City
Colorado Springs
State
Colorado
ZIP Code
80903
Type
Non-Profit Private
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Colorado College Degree Worth It?
At $83,228/year against a $65,222 median graduate salary, Colorado College is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $73,700, and graduates see a 2.92% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from Colorado College Cost?
Listed tuition runs $83,228/year at Colorado College; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land typically much lower.
At Colorado College, 13.8% receive a Pell Grant and 24.3% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming Colorado College on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a Colorado College Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, Colorado College graduates report a median income of $65,222, about 61% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Compare Similar Colleges
Less Competitive Schools
These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Colorado College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA | 1417 | 32 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden, CO | 1403 | 31 |
| Connecticut College | New London, CT | 1412 | 32 |
| Trinity College | Hartford, CT | 1396 | 32 |
| George Washington University | Washington, DC | 1433 | 33 |
| University of Florida | Gainesville, FL | 1397 | 31 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | 1416 | 32 |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Champaign, IL | 1418 | 32 |
| Simpson College | Indianola, IA | 1410 | 32 |
| Babson College | Wellesley, MA | 1435 | 32 |
Equally Competitive Schools
These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Colorado College. If your SAT or ACT score is competitive, you'll be competitive for these schools also.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Atlanta, GA | 1447 | 31 |
| Tulane University of Louisiana | New Orleans, LA | 1443 | 32 |
| Bates College | Lewiston, ME | 1446 | 32 |
| Babson College | Wellesley, MA | 1435 | 32 |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | Hoboken, NJ | 1447 | 33 |
More Competitive Schools
These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Colorado College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
| School | Location | SAT | ACT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont McKenna College | Claremont, CA | 1514 | 34 |
| Pomona College | Claremont, CA | 1520 | 34 |
| Scripps College | Claremont, CA | 1480 | 33 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | 1501 | 34 |
| Wesleyan University | Middletown, CT | 1513 | 34 |
Degree Programs at Colorado College
Bachelor Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado College Admissions
Colorado College graduates earn a moderate median salary of $65,222/year, with some variation by field.
Tuition at Colorado College runs high — roughly $83,228+/year — so financial aid planning matters.
13.8% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Colorado College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Colorado College's acceptance rate is 20%, in the 10–20% band. Admission is very competitive and requires a strong academic profile.
The average GPA of admitted Colorado College students is 3.98, reflecting a competitive applicant pool.
There's no strict cutoff, but a GPA at or above 3.68 puts you in the standard applicant pool at Colorado College. Below that, your essays and recommendations need to work harder to provide context.
A GPA of 3.58 or below makes admission tougher at Colorado College, but strong test scores, activities, and essays — plus AP/IB coursework — can still keep you in contention.
Colorado College weighs the SAT heavily. Scoring above 1445, and within the 1365–1520 range, keeps you competitive.
Colorado College's deadline is November 1 (Early Action (non-binding)).
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all Colorado Colleges
Average SAT Score of Colorado Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in Colorado
Bachelor Programs in Colorado
Test Optional Colleges in Colorado
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in Colorado