University of Colorado Colorado Springs: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes

Denver, Colorado · Public · Open access · CDS 2023-2024

Acceptance rate
99%
10,271 applicants
Avg SAT
1010
Mid 50: 880–1070
In-state tuition
$10,780
per year, before aid
Net price (avg)
$14,294
after aid, what families pay

University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of Colorado Colorado Springs admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 99%. Admitted students typically post an average SAT of 1014 and an ACT composite around 21. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $14,294 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price. For parents weighing whether University of Colorado Colorado Springs is realistic for their teenager, the most useful planning step is comparing your child's current GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against these admitted-student ranges — not the headline acceptance rate alone.

What GPA does my child need for University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

University of Colorado Colorado Springs 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. Parents tracking their child's GPA toward this tier of school can use Solyo's free calculator to see weighted, unweighted, and college-recalculated numbers side by side.

Actual GPA distribution of admitted students
4.00
1.0%
3.75–3.99
4.4%
3.50–3.74
5.5%
3.25–3.49
8.0%
3.00–3.24
13.9%
2.50–2.99
30.0%
Below 2.50
37.2%
From the 2023-2024 Common Data Set submitted by University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

SAT and ACT scores University of Colorado Colorado Springs typically admits

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 430–540, with an EBRW midpoint near 520. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 17–23. Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.

SAT Composite
25th percentile880
50th percentile1010
75th percentile1070
% submitting SAT30%
ACT Composite
25th percentile17
50th percentile20
75th percentile23
% submitting ACT3%
Current testing policy
  • Test-optional: Standardized test scores are not required, but may be submitted and considered.
  • • Policy detail: Considered if submitted

How much does University of Colorado Colorado Springs actually cost?

Published tuition is $10,780 for in-state students and $29,503 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $14,294 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 35% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful indicator of how much need-based aid the school distributes.

In-state tuition$8,868
Out-of-state tuition$27,591
Room and board
Average net price (after aid)$14,294
Application fee

Application deadlines and early decision data for University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Regular admission
Regular deadline7/1
Notification date8/31
Reply deadlineNo set date
Rolling admissionsYes

Will my child graduate from University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

Retention and graduation rates are the most overlooked numbers in college planning, but they predict actual outcomes far better than acceptance rate. They tell you whether admitted students stay and finish on time.

Freshman retention
69.9%
returned for sophomore year
4-year graduation
null%
finished on time
6-year graduation
26.85%
finished within 6 years

Other colleges in Colorado parents ask about

How parents track GPA toward selective schools like University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Solyo helps parents track grades pulled directly from school emails, calculate GPA the same way colleges like University of Colorado Colorado Springs recalculate it, and ask an AI college counselor specific questions about their teen's odds. The platform is built for parents — not students — and turns what's usually a fragmented planning process into a single dashboard.

Common questions parents ask about University of Colorado Colorado Springs

What GPA do I need for University of Colorado Colorado Springs?

University of Colorado Colorado Springs 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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs typically admit?

The middle-50 SAT Math range is 430–540, with an EBRW midpoint near 520. The middle-50 ACT composite range is 17–23.

How much does University of Colorado Colorado Springs actually cost after financial aid?

The average net price at University of Colorado Colorado Springs after grants and scholarships is $14,294 per year. That figure is more useful for budgeting than the published sticker price, because it reflects what families actually pay after aid is applied.

Is University of Colorado Colorado Springs realistic for my child?

Compare your teen's current unweighted GPA and most recent SAT or ACT against the ranges above. If both numbers fall inside the school's middle-50, University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a target school. If both fall below the 25th-percentile mark, treat it as a reach and balance the application list accordingly.

Data sourced from the 2023-2024 Common Data Set submitted by University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Solyo extracts admissions data from official Common Data Set publications and refreshes it annually.