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Colorado College Admission Requirements

Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Your chances of getting into Colorado College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

16.3%
Admission Difficulty for Colorado College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Colorado College is 16.3%.  Its admission rate is the lowest in Colorado and the 55th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Colorado College and can you get accepted?

Colorado College is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 1,279 out of the 7,846 who applied were admitted.

Colorado College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.98. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 42% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Colorado College?

16% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Colorado College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.98 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1370 on the SAT
  • Score 31 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Colorado College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.98

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Colorado College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Colorado College are to have around a 3.98 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as Colorado College is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Colorado College is 3.98 on the 4.0 scale. 43% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #1 in Colorado for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Colorado College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Colorado College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 42.9% Good
3.75 to 3.99 31.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 17.5% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 6.2% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 2.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.4% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Colorado College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Colorado College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 34% of students submitted SAT scores and 28% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1260-1480

Applicants Submitting SAT 

34%
SAT Scores for Colorado College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 640
Math 25th Percentile 620
Composite 25th Percentile 1260
SAT Scores for Colorado College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 730
Math 75th Percentile 750
Composite 75th Percentile 1480
Average SAT Score 1370

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Colorado College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Colorado College is 1370 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1260-1480. Students who get into Colorado College score in the top 17 percent of all SAT test takers..  Colorado College ranks #3 in the state of Colorado and #119 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1370 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Colorado College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1260 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1260, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1150, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Colorado College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1370 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1370, you have around a 16% chance of being admitted. A 1480 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 27% chance of getting in.

Colorado College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1480 and Above Good >27%
1370 to 1480 Avg + 16%-27%
1260 to 1370 Avg - 9%-16%
1150 to 1260 Reach 5%-9%
Less than 1150 Low <5%
Calculate My Chances 

Colorado College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

29-33 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

28%
ACT Scores for Colorado College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 30
Math 25th Percentile 26
Composite 25th Percentile 29
ACT Scores for Colorado College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 32
Composite 75th Percentile 33
Average ACT Score 31

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Colorado College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Colorado College is 31, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 29 and 33.  The school ranks #1 in Colorado and #83 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 31. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 29 and score in the score in the top 9 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 27.

28 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Colorado College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Colorado College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Colorado College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 31 score has around 16% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 27% with a 33 ACT score.

Colorado College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
33 and Above Good >27%
31 to 33 Avg + 16%-27%
29 to 31 Avg - 9%-16%
27 to 29 Reach 5%-9%
Less than 27 Low <5%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

71% of Colorado College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Colorado College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 71%
Top 25% of class 93%
Top 50% of class 99%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Colorado College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,651 3,195 7,846
Accepted 745 534 1,279
Acceptance Rate 16% 17% 16%
Enrolled 303 231 534
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 41% 43% 42%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

100

Applicants have 100 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Colorado College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Colorado College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Colorado College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Colorado College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Colorado College is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.98 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1370 on the SAT and optimally 1480 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 31 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Colorado College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126678 IPEDS survey data for Colorado College.

Last updated February 24, 2024

FAQs

Does Colorado College prefer SAT or ACT?

34% of students submit their SAT scores to Colorado College. 28% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.

What is my chance of getting into Colorado College?

16% of those who apply are granted admission to Colorado College. Admission competition is very high and the college has exceptional admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.

What SAT score is required for Colorado College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1260 and 1480. The average SAT score is 1370. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.

What ACT score is required for Colorado College?

The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 29 and 33. The average ACT score is 31. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.