Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Rangely, Colorado
Colorado Northwestern Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$21,006Annual Cost
$43,526Grad Salary
17.6%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$12,316
Need-Based Aid
17.6% receive Pell
Colorado Northwestern Community College CO Colorado Northwestern Community College offers a unique combination of transfer education, technical training, and career-focused programs in a rural setting. The college is especially known for programs related to aviation, natural resources, outdoor industries, and technical trades.\n\nStudents who prefer smaller class sizes, individualized support, and hands-on learning often find CNCC appealing. The institution serves both transfer-oriented students and those seeking direct workforce entry.
Colorado Northwestern Community College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Colorado Northwestern Community College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
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 — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Colorado Northwestern Community College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Colorado Northwestern Community College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
CNCC 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.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at CNCC
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Colorado Northwestern Community College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
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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
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at CNCC — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into CNCC Without SAT or ACT?
CNCC's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for CNCC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into CNCC is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
If pursuing Aviation, budget for flight fees separately from tuition and start the TSA security clearance process immediately if you're international
CNCC's own admissions checklist lists specific, itemized flight fees on top of tuition - Private Pilot's License (~$11,215), Instrument Rating (~$9,780), and Commercial License (~$22,565) - and international/non-U.S. citizen applicants must additionally complete the CNCC International Student Application and the TSA Flight Training Security Program (FTSP), with international applications due by July 1 for Fall or December 1 for Spring. If you're pursuing Aviation as an international student, start the FTSP process the moment you decide on this program, since its deadline is earlier and stricter than the general admission deadline.
If you live in Moffat County or Rangely specifically, apply for in-district tuition assistance the same semester you enroll - it is not retroactive
CNCC offers tiered local tuition assistance: Moffat County residents can receive up to 50% off tuition, and Rangely residents up to 100% off, funded through CNCC's local taxing districts - but this assistance must be applied for within the semester of enrollment and cannot be applied retroactively to prior semesters. Confirm your specific county residency documentation and apply for this assistance immediately upon enrolling, not after your first semester is already underway.
Choose your campus (Rangely vs. Craig) based on your specific program's actual home location, not general college branding
CNCC operates two campuses 90 miles apart with genuinely different flagship programs - Rangely is known for Aviation Technology and Dental Hygiene, while Craig is known for programs like Paleontology (leveraging the region's fossil-rich geology). Confirm which specific campus teaches your intended program in person before committing to a location, since "Colorado Northwestern" branding covers two distinct physical campuses with different specialties.
Use the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend explicitly if you're a Colorado resident - it reduces your per-credit-hour cost directly
Eligible in-state students can receive a Colorado Opportunity Fund stipend of $116 per credit hour, a state-funded benefit distinct from federal aid or CNCC's own in-district assistance. Confirm your COF eligibility and application process with financial aid separately from your general FAFSA submission, since this is a state-specific stipend that some students overlook when focused only on federal aid.
Expert Insight:
Because CNCC has open, 100% acceptance admissions, applicants can underestimate that specialized programs like Aviation carry substantial additional out-of-pocket costs (itemized flight fees running into the tens of thousands beyond tuition) and, for international students, an earlier and more document-intensive deadline (TSA FTSP) than the general admissions process - treat these as separate planning tracks from day one rather than assuming "open admission" means uniformly low cost and simple paperwork across all programs.
CNCC Profile
Full Name
Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC)
City
Rangely
State
Colorado
ZIP Code
81648-3598
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a CNCC Degree Worth It?
At $21,006/year against a $43,526 median graduate salary, CNCC 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 $57,400, and graduates see a 3.66% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from CNCC Cost?
Listed tuition runs $21,006/year at CNCC; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $12,316.
At CNCC, 17.6% receive a Pell Grant and 16.6% carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming CNCC on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a CNCC Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, CNCC graduates report a median income of $43,526, about 7% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at CNCC
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CNCC Admissions
Colorado Northwestern Community College graduates earn a lower median salary of $43,526/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Colorado Northwestern Community College is relatively affordable, around $21,006/year.
17.6% receive a Pell Grant here, below the ~35% national average — Colorado Northwestern Community College skews toward higher-income students, though merit aid may still be worth checking.
Colorado Northwestern Community College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
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.
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