Colorado College Admission Requirements

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Colorado College Admission Overview

Colorado College admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in Colorado. Last year Colorado College admitted 18.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.98 GPA (A) and SAT 1230-1460 / ACT 29-33. Colorado College is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Colorado College Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

18.5%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Colorado College

Acceptance Rate

The Colorado College acceptance rate is 18.5%. Last year, only 1,572 of 8,511 applicants were admitted. That is the 2nd lowest acceptance rate in Colorado and the 66th lowest in 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, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Colorado College typically 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. 30% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Colorado College GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.98

Typical High School Grades

A

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.98

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Colorado College typically have around a 3.98 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Matching last year's 3.98 average does not by itself determine admission. Colorado College is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

43% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #1 in Colorado for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Colorado College freshmen
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 figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Colorado College SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1230-1460

Freshmen who sent SAT

29%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 640
  • Math 590
  • Composite 1230
SAT 25th percentile scores for Colorado College

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 730
  • Math 730
  • Composite 1460
SAT 75th percentile scores for Colorado College

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Colorado College typically score around a 1350 SAT (middle 50% 1230–1460) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 92nd percentile nationally. Colorado College ranks #2 in the state of Colorado and #142 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1230 to 1460

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1230–1460 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Colorado College is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1350 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Colorado College
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1460+ Above 75th >29%
1350 to 1460 Avg + 18%-29%
1230 to 1350 Avg - 10%-18%
Below 1230 Below mid-50 <10%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Colorado College ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

29-33

Freshmen reporting ACT

16%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 29
  • Math 25
  • Composite 29
ACT 25th percentile scores for Colorado College

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 35
  • Math 31
  • Composite 33
ACT 75th percentile scores for Colorado College

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Colorado College typically have around a 31 ACT (mid-50 29–33) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 95th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Colorado College places #2 among colleges in Colorado and #91 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 29 to 33

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 29–33 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Colorado College without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 31.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Colorado College
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
33+ Above 75th >29%
31 to 33 Avg + 18%-29%
29 to 31 Avg - 10%-18%
Below 29 Below mid-50 <10%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the Colorado College chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Colorado College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 4,531 3,689 8,511
Accepted 855 651 1,572
Acceptance Rate 19% 18% 18%
Enrolled 227 220 476
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 27% 34% 30%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Colorado College application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

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

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Colorado College
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

Colorado College is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 18.5% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.98 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1230-1460); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Colorado College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=126678.

GPA calculator: Colorado College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026