Colorado College

Colorado Springs, CO · Private · 2,014 undergrads

• Admit rate: 18.5% (7,532 applicants)
• SAT middle 50%: 1230–1460 (ACT 29–33)
• Undergraduates: 2,014 (5.1% international)
• Average net price: $33,375 (per year after aid)
• Graduation rate: 88% (within 6 years)

Deadlines

• Early Decision: Nov. 1, 2026
• Early Action: Nov. 1, 2026
• Early Decision II: Jan. 15, 2027
• Regular Decision: Jan. 15, 2027

Essays

Optional supplemental essay (300 words)

One of the benefits of Colorado College's Block Plan is the opportunity to immerse yourself fully in a single subject for 3.5 weeks. We see this as the luxury of focus--the joy and value of directing your full attention to one thing. Tell us about a time when you experienced this kind of deep focus in an academic or extracurricular setting. What were you doing, and how did it turn out? Optional: If you'd like to share the outcome--a project, performance, paper, or other result--you may upload a document or provide a URL.

Editor's notes

• The round you pick matters here, and CC shows its numbers. For the Class of 2030, ED admitted 33% and EA 32%, while Regular Action admitted 18%. EA gets you most of that early benefit without a binding commitment, so if CC is high on your list, the Nov. 1 deadline is the one to plan for.
• Treat the optional essay as truly optional. CC says it would rather read no essay than a rushed one. If you have a story of being completely absorbed in something, write it, because it's the Block Plan in miniature. If you don't, put the time into your personal statement.
• Tests count only if they help you. With 28% of fall 2025 enrollees sending the SAT and 12% the ACT, most people apply without scores, and CC then leans harder on your transcript. Send scores only if they look like the rest of your record or better.
• Run the money before you rule CC out. It meets full need, and families in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah earning under $250,000 may qualify for the Four Corners Pledge. Note the catch: your aid forms are due on your admission deadline.

Sources

1. Colorado College Admission, First-year students
2. Colorado College Admission, Applying to CC
3. Colorado College Admission, Optional supplemental essay
4. Colorado College Admission, Early applicant information (Class of 2030 statistics)
5. Colorado College Admission, Test-optional policy
6. Colorado College Common Data Set 2025-26
7. Colorado College Admission, Cost and financial aid
8. Colorado College Admission, Scholarships
9. Colorado College Admission, The Four Corners Pledge
10. Colorado College Admission, Barnes Scholarships
11. Colorado College Admission, El Pomar Scholarship
12. Colorado College Admission, WES Scholarship
13. Colorado College Admission, International students
14. Colorado College Admission, Gap year and semester experiences
15. Colorado College Admission, App advice video series
16. Common App, 2026-27 first-year requirements grid