Colorado College
Colorado Springs, Colorado · Private
Colorado College admitted 22% of 8,822 applicants (Common Data Set 2025-2026). First-year students who sent the SAT scored 1240–1430 in the middle half. Test scores are optional. 86% of students graduate within six years.
Your chances at Colorado College
Enter a score to see whether Colorado College is a reach, target or likely school for you.
Based on the admit rate (22%) alone. Add a score for a sharper read.
A rough read from the admit rate and test scores only. Grades, courses, essays and activities matter as much or more. To see your whole list at once, use the chances calculator.
Application deadlines
Colorado College’s first-year deadlines for 2026–27 on the Common App:
- Early decision
- November 1, 2026
- Early decision II
- January 15, 2027
- Early action
- November 1, 2026
- Regular decision
- January 15, 2027
The application is free. Colorado College asks for the Common App personal essay, one teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, and a midyear report from your school. For financial aid it uses the FAFSA and the CSS Profile.
Deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone. From Common App’s requirements grid, updated September 25, 2026. Check Colorado College’s admissions site before you submit. See every college’s deadlines or early decision vs. early action.
Early decision and early action
Early decision applicants were admitted at 36% (272 of 764), compared with 22% for all applicants.
Colorado College offers early action but didn’t report its early admit rate.
Early applicants often include recruited athletes and students with stronger applications, so the gap overstates how much applying early helps one student.
400 students were offered a spot on the waitlist, 90 took it, and 20 were admitted from it.
What admissions weighs
How Colorado College rates each part of an application, from its Common Data Set.
Very important
- –
Important
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Essay
- Recommendations
- Activities
Considered
- Class rank
- Test scores
- Interview
- Talent or ability
- Character
- First generation
- Legacy
- Where you live
- State residency
- Religion
- Volunteering
- Work experience
- Showing interest
Not considered
- –
High school GPA
First-year students averaged a 3.93 GPA. 58% of those who reported a class rank were in the top 10% of their class.
Some colleges report weighted GPAs, so compare loosely.
What it costs
Full price with housing is $87,128 a year. After grants, students paid $35,281 on average.
Average price after grants, by family income:
Quick answers
What is Colorado College’s acceptance rate?
Colorado College admitted 22% of applicants: 1,949 of 8,822 (Common Data Set 2025-2026).
When is Colorado College’s early decision deadline?
For 2026–27, early decision is due November 1, 2026, early decision II is due January 15, 2027, early action is due November 1, 2026, and regular decision is due January 15, 2027. Common App deadlines end at 11:59 p.m. in your own time zone.
What SAT score do you need for Colorado College?
The middle half of admitted students who sent the SAT scored 1240 to 1430, with a median around 1340. A score at or above 1340 puts you in the top half of admitted students who sent one.
How much is Colorado College’s application fee?
The application is free for 2026–27.
What does Colorado College require?
Besides the application and transcript, Colorado College asks for the Common App personal essay, one teacher recommendation, a counselor recommendation, and a midyear report from your school.
Does Colorado College have supplemental essays?
Yes. For 2026–27, Colorado College asks 1 question of its own on top of the main essay (optional. one essay, up to 300 words). Its supplemental essays page lists each one word for word with the word limit.
Does Colorado College require the CSS Profile?
Yes. Colorado College uses the CSS Profile for financial aid, along with the FAFSA, and it may ask a noncustodial parent to fill one out too.
Not sure which colleges fit?
A Clarity Prep mentor builds a balanced list with your student and checks in every week until it’s done.
Writing your essays? See Colorado College’s supplemental essays and get a free essay review.