Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Denver, Colorado
Community College of Denver — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$18,377Annual Cost
$39,095Grad Salary
31%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
Avg Net Price
$9,431
Need-Based Aid
31% receive Pell
Community College of Denver serves Colorado's urban population with comprehensive academic and workforce programs. Established in 1967, the college offers over 100 degree and certificate programs with strengths in health sciences, business, and advanced manufacturing. The Auraria Campus, shared with two universities, features the 'Center for Workforce Initiatives.'
CCD's 'Urban Male Initiative' supports underrepresented students, while its 'Learning Commons' provides academic support. The college's 'Early College' programs allow high school students to earn credit. CCD maintains strong partnerships with Denver employers and institutions.
Community College of Denver Acceptance Rate
Community College of Denver (CCD) runs an open-access admission policy. With a 100% 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
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Community College of Denver Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Community College of Denver 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
CCD 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 CCD
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Community College of Denver'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
⚠️ 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.
Community College of Denver (CCD) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if CCD is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into CCD Without SAT or ACT?
CCD'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 CCD
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
CCD provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about using available resources well and planning your longer-term academic or career path.
Use CCD's holistic Practical Nursing admissions process to your advantage if your GPA isn't top-tier
Unlike many nursing programs that rank purely by points, CCD's Practical Nursing program explicitly evaluates work experience, healthcare training, and socioeconomic factors alongside academics - qualifying applicants may be invited to an interview and asked to write an essay on a pre-determined topic. If you have relevant healthcare work experience, make that a central part of your application narrative rather than assuming grades alone determine your outcome.
If a BSN is the real goal, use the specific CU Denver/CU Nursing Bridge Pathway rather than a generic transfer plan
CCD/CU Denver students can access a defined 3+2 bridge (3 years prerequisites, 2 years nursing coursework) into CU Nursing's Traditional BSN program at the Anschutz Medical Campus - the highest-ranked nursing program in Colorado with strong NCLEX pass rates. Attend one of the specific pre-application information sessions (open to freshmen planning Summer 2028 entry, for example) rather than assuming this pathway is automatic.
Target the Integrated Nursing Pathway (INP) if you want a defined route to a bachelor's completion
CCD's INP program has a firm April 15 annual application deadline, requires a 3.0 GPA to apply and maintain, and results in an A.G.S. degree recognized by transferring institutions for nursing program admission (though "Integrated Nursing Pathway" itself won't appear on your transcript). Know this naming quirk in advance so you're not confused when your diploma doesn't literally say "nursing."
Leverage CCD's unique shared campus at Auraria for cross-institution resources
CCD is the only community college in the nation sharing a single campus with a four-year college (Metropolitan State University) and a research university (CU Denver), giving students access to a shared library, recreational facilities, and a performing arts center. Reference this specific tri-institutional campus structure when discussing resource access or cross-enrollment opportunities in your application materials.
Expert Insight:
Because CCD's general admission is free and automatic for applicants 17+, students sometimes assume every health program at CCD follows the same low-friction path. It doesn't: the Practical Nursing holistic process, the competitive INP pathway, and the CU Nursing Bridge Pathway are three genuinely distinct routes with different deadlines, GPA thresholds, and application formats - conflating them, or assuming one general CCD application covers all three, is a common and costly mistake.
CCD Profile
Full Name
Community College of Denver (CCD)
City
Denver
State
Colorado
ZIP Code
80204-2026
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a CCD Degree Worth It?
CCD offers a rigorous academic environment, but 'worth it' is a personal calculation of cost, program fit, and outcomes. The figures below are a starting point.
The average household income among admitted students is $61,500, with a graduate unemployment rate of 3.52%.
How much does a degree from CCD Cost?
The sticker price is $18,377/year, but the average net price students actually pay, after Pell and federal grants, is closer to $9,431.
31% of students receive a Pell Grant and 17.2% take federal loans at CCD. File your FAFSA early and list CCD as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a CCD Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $39,095. That's somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at CCD
Bachelor Degree Programs
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About CCD Admissions
Median earnings for Community College of Denver graduates sit around $39,095 a year.
At about $18,377 a year, Community College of Denver is on the more affordable end.
About 31.0% receive a Pell Grant at Community College of Denver. The odds are moderate and largely income-dependent, but an early FAFSA filing still helps.
Community College of Denver follows Rolling Admissions. Applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
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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