UCCS: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially University of Colorado Colorado Springs · Colorado Springs, Colorado · Public · Open access · CDS 2024-2025
Ranked #382-422 in National Universities; Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #177 (tie), Business Programs #149 (tie), Computer Science #155 (tie), Nursing #75 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2024-2025 Common Data Set published by University of Colorado Colorado Springs (see the source).
Is UCCS a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places UCCS against it in about a minute. No account needed.
UCCS is a public university in Colorado Springs, Colorado that admits about 97% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $15,788 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 4.1 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
UCCS is a public institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For the most recent reporting cycle, UCCS admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 97%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT around 1133. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,788 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for UCCS?
UCCS has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
Compare UCCS with the other schools on your list
Open UCCS in College Search to set it beside up to three other colleges on cost, admission odds and outcomes, and save it to a shortlist when you are ready.
SAT and ACT scores UCCS typically admits
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 500–600. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–26. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | n/a |
| 50th percentile | 1133 |
| 75th percentile | n/a |
| 25th percentile | 20 |
| 50th percentile | n/a |
| 75th percentile | 26 |
- • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
- • UCCS is test-optional with no minimum GPA or test score; scores considered if you choose to send them.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on UCCS's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does UCCS actually cost?
Published tuition is $10,149 for in-state students and $24,336 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $12,918 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $15,788 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 27% of students receive Pell Grants.
| Average net price (after aid) | $15,788 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
Application deadlines and early decision data for UCCS
Most popular majors at UCCS
The most popular undergraduate programs at UCCS, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General. Across all programs, UCCS confers roughly 1,274 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $64,312 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 328 | $64,312 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 200 | $80,208 |
| Psychology, General | 173 | $45,563 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 157 | $49,311 |
| Biology, General | 141 | $51,834 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 121 | $53,733 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 80 | $90,079 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 74 | n/a |
Is UCCS safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), UCCS disclosed 36 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 4.1 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 3 violent offenses and 21 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
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Next steps for UCCS
Common questions parents ask about UCCS
What GPA do I need for UCCS?
UCCS has a broadly accessible admissions profile, and most students who complete a standard college-prep curriculum with a 3.0 GPA or higher are competitive for admission.
What SAT or ACT score does UCCS typically admit?
The middle-50 SAT Math range is 500–600. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 20–26.
How much does UCCS actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at UCCS after grants and scholarships is $15,788 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $10,149 and $24,336 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is UCCS realistic for my child?
UCCS admits 97% of applicants, so 500–600 SAT Math is target range and below 500 is a reach. Then check the $15,788 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at UCCS?
UCCS accepts about 97% of applicants. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is UCCS test-optional?
Yes. UCCS is test-optional for Fall 2027 applicants, so SAT and ACT scores are not required, but strong scores can still be submitted and will be considered.
Is UCCS a public or private school, and where is it located?
UCCS is a public institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
What are the most popular majors at UCCS?
The largest undergraduate majors at UCCS by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing and Psychology, General. The school awards about 1,274 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is UCCS safe? What is its campus crime rate?
UCCS reported 36 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 4.1 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
Sources: the 2024-2025 Common Data Set submitted by University of Colorado Colorado Springs, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers