
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
U.S. News National 2027
#382
Up 13 from 2026
U.S. News Global 2027
#2019
Down 145 from 2026
Acceptance rate
97.4%
2025
Peer median 85.3%
Out-of-state tuition
$25,039
In-state $10,906
Peer median $20,805
Undergraduates
9,302
Student-faculty ratio 15:1
Peer median 17 : 1
Graduation rate
24.6%
4-year; 6-year rate 42.5%
Peer median 25.4%
“Peers” are the 30 closest-ranked public national universities, the same comparison used in this page's data notes.
About
The University of Colorado--Colorado Springs is a public, four-year coeducational university located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with no religious affiliation. Operating as part of the state university system, the institution held a rank of 382 in the 2027 US News National Universities ranking. While its overall institutional standing places it in the broader tier of national universities, the campus houses several distinct programs with stronger national standing. In technical and health disciplines, graduate aerospace engineering was ranked 59th in 2026, and undergraduate nursing earned a rank of 75th in 2027. The university also maintains recognized graduate offerings in social work, ranked 83rd in 2024, entrepreneurship MBA, ranked 85th in 2026, and clinical psychology, ranked 90th in 2026. The institution serves as a regional academic hub along the Front Range, providing accessible undergraduate degrees alongside specialized graduate study.
Attending the University of Colorado--Colorado Springs represents a moderate financial commitment, but student completion figures warrant close consideration. In 2025, out-of-state undergraduate tuition stood at $25,039, which was higher than 83% of peer schools in its comparison group of similarly ranked public universities. Academic momentum, however, remains an area of concern when looking at completion timelines. The four-year graduation rate was 24.6% in 2025, while the six-year graduation rate reached 42.5%. First-year retention and student-faculty ratios both track near peer medians, yet fewer than half of enrolled undergraduates finish their degrees within six years. For families evaluating the university, these numbers suggest that while instructional costs are accessible relative to many four-year public options, maintaining degree progress requires deliberate academic planning and sustained personal commitment from students once on campus.
This collegeRanked colleges nearby
- Setting
- Large city
- Nearest major city
- In Colorado Springs
- Nearest international airport
- Denver International Airport (DEN), about 70 mi
- Also known as
- UCCS
- Academic calendar
- Semester
- Religious affiliation
- Not applicable
- President
- Jennifer Sobanet (Chancellor)
- Phone
- 7192553000
- City
- Colorado Springs, Colorado
- Address
- 1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Rankings & Admission
Peer median 85.3% · the 30 closest-ranked public national universities
Acceptance rate by gender, 2025
In 2020: men 86.3%, women 87.9%.
Best #293, lowest #395, latest #382 over the last ten years.
Data insights
Admission to the University of Colorado--Colorado Springs is broadly accessible, with the vast majority of applicants receiving offers. In 2025, the university posted an acceptance rate of 97.4%, which was higher than 96% of peer schools in a group of similarly ranked public universities. However, the institution demonstrates a modest draw among admitted candidates, as its yield rate reached 12.9%, higher than 11% of peer schools. Meanwhile, the university's standing in the USNews American University Rankings has slid over time, falling from 293 in 2020 to a latest rank of 382 in 2027. For prospective applicants, these figures mean that gaining admission is very straightforward, though the school's relatively low retention of admitted applicants indicates that many admitted students weigh and choose alternative enrollment options.
School and Program Rankings
U.S. News school and program rankings · Click a school to see its programs, and a program for its full ranking
Undergraduate Rankings · 2027 edition
Social Sciences and Humanities1 programs—
Graduate Rankings · 2026 edition
Engineering School4 programs#177▲1
Business School6 programs—
Health Specialty1 programs—
Science1 programs—
Ranks in blue are top 10 · ▲▼ change from the previous edition · “—” means no overall ranking for that school · Medical schools are ranked in tiers since the 2025 edition
Test Scores
2025 admitted students, 25th–75th percentile · 34% submitted SAT, 6% submitted ACT · SAT/ACT optional: considered if submitted
Data insights
University of Colorado--Colorado Springs operates under an admission test policy that is optional, considered if submitted. For the 2025 entering class, enrolled students who submitted test results demonstrated solid foundational preparation. In 2025, the middle 50% of enrolled students earned ACT composite scores between 20 and 26. On the SAT, the university reported a median score of 1130, which was higher than 91% of peer schools among similarly ranked public research universities. Regarding testing patterns for the 2025 cohort, approximately one-third of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT results, while only a small single-digit percentage submitted ACT scores. For prospective applicants, these metrics indicate that standardized testing expectations are accessible relative to peer institutions. Because scores are reviewed when provided, candidates whose standardized testing reflects this mid-range profile can see their academic abilities verified, while those applying without scores are evaluated through the rest of their secondary school portfolio.
How Hard Is It to Get In
about 10 in 10
13,147 applicants in 2025, 97.4% admitted
12,799 admitted 348 not admitted Yield 12.9%
Degrees & Majors
Graduates in 2025 (first major)
U.S. studentsInternational
Popular graduate programs
- Business Administration and Management, General · Master's91 (2% international)
- Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services · Master's65 (0% international)
- Social Work · Master's65 (0% international)
- Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse · Master's44 (0% international)
- Biological and Physical Sciences · Master's28 (4% international)
- Special Education and Teaching, General · Master's28 (7% international)
Data insights
Undergraduate degree conferrals at the University of Colorado--Colorado Springs show substantial concentration in a handful of popular fields. Out of 1,897 bachelor's degrees awarded in 2025, the top three majors accounted for 34.3% of all undergraduate completions. Business Administration and Management led undergraduate conferrals with 306 graduates, followed in volume by psychology and registered nursing. While business and psychology represent the largest majors by student count, the university's strongest national rankings lie in other areas. In US News program rankings, undergraduate nursing ranked 75th in 2027, and graduate aerospace engineering placed 59th in 2026. Technical disciplines also deliver the strongest early compensation outcomes. Based on 2023 earnings data, bachelor's graduates in computer engineering achieved the highest median first-year earnings on campus at $94,313, followed closely by computer science and nursing. Applicants should recognize that while popular majors draw large cohorts, technical and health programs offer notable career and ranking strengths.
All majors, graduates and earnings IPEDS · College Scorecard
*Depends on whether majors have graduates in 2025 or not, Yes / No
**Move mouse on can check deitaled graudates number, click for major detailed information
***Due to privacy policy, graduate salaries are not shown for some majors that has few gradautes
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management, General. | $53,318-$100,560 | |||
| Accounting. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | $43,428 | |||
| Athletic Training/Trainer. | - | |||
| Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse. | $78,698-$109,081 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curriculum and Instruction. | $52,988 | |||
| Educational Leadership and Administration, General. | $54,635 | |||
| Educational Evaluation and Research. | - | |||
| Special Education and Teaching, General. | $57,041 | |||
| Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services. | $52,070 | |||
| Elementary Education and Teaching. | $41,542-$44,772 | |||
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching. | $41,542-$44,772 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biology/Biological Sciences, General. | $37,485 | |||
| Biochemistry. | $31,980 | |||
| Physiology, General. | $39,148 | |||
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology. | $39,148 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | $39,518 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Services, General. | $28,313 | |||
| Public Administration. | $65,728 | |||
| Social Work. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | - | |||
| Computer Science. | $82,449 | |||
| Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation. | $46,931 | |||
| Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance. | $83,625 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Communication, General. | $40,525 | |||
| Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering, General. | $125,541 | |||
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General. | - | |||
| Computer Engineering, General. | $94,313 | |||
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering. | $77,615 | |||
| Mechanical Engineering. | $70,620 | |||
| Systems Engineering. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthropology, General. | $30,819 | |||
| Economics, General. | $47,859 | |||
| Geography. | $41,451 | |||
| Geography, Other. | $41,451 | |||
| Political Science and Government, General. | $33,806 | |||
| Sociology, General. | $40,440-$49,066 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration. | $44,755-$55,620 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature, General. | $39,604 | |||
| Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| History, General. | $43,202 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual and Performing Arts, General. | $26,731 | |||
| Music, Other. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General. | - | |||
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | $38,471 | |||
| Museology/Museum Studies. | - | |||
| Natural Sciences. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy. | $29,425 |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics, General. | $50,106 | |||
| Applied Mathematics, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemistry, General. | - | |||
| Physics, General. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other. | - |
| Major | Graduate Salary | Under | Master | Doctor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish Language and Literature. | - |
Students
11,354 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 47:53 · Freshman retention 68.4%
- Continuing undergraduates 6,223
- First-year undergraduates 1,538
- Graduate students 2,052
- Transfers and others 1,541
Undergraduate race and ethnicity (9,302)
Age distribution
Bachelor's
Graduate students
Data insights
The student body at the University of Colorado--Colorado Springs totaled 11,354 students in 2025, heavily centered on undergraduate education. White students formed the majority across degree levels, while Hispanic students represented the largest minority group, comprising nearly a quarter of incoming undergraduates. Demographic representation among Asian and international students remains limited. Across the student population, Asian undergraduates and graduate students each constitute roughly four percent of their respective groups, with incoming freshmen including 69 Asian students, or 4.2% of the class. International presence is particularly small, as first-year undergraduates included only 10 international students, representing 0.6% of the cohort. These figures reflect an institution primarily serving regional domestic communities, meaning prospective students will encounter a student body with modest cultural and geographical diversity.
Undergraduate life at the University of Colorado--Colorado Springs centers on traditional college-age students, while the graduate student body is composed largely of working adults. In 2025, among 9,302 undergraduates, 28% were aged 18 to 19 and 27% were aged 20 to 21. This clustering creates a familiar undergraduate campus rhythm focused on daytime academic programs and activities. In contrast, graduate enrollment shows substantial dispersion across older cohorts. Students aged 25 to 29 represented the largest graduate segment at 22.8%, with another third of graduate students split between their thirties and forties. This profile indicates that graduate programs primarily serve mid-career professionals who balance coursework with career obligations.
International Students
International share over the last 10 years · gray line: median of the 30 closest-ranked public national universities
79 in 2025 · 1.4% in 2016
112 in 2025 · 7.9% in 2016
Data insights
International enrollment at the University of Colorado--Colorado Springs represents a very small share of the campus population and has contracted over time. In 2025, international students comprised just 0.8% of the undergraduate student body. When compared with peer institutions, this proportion was higher than 13% of peer schools in its public university cohort. At the graduate level, international enrollment is somewhat higher but still limited, accounting for 5.5% of graduate students in 2025 after declining from previous cycles. This low representation is similarly visible at commencement. International students accounted for 1% of bachelor's degree recipients and 5.1% of master's degree recipients in 2025. Among undergraduate degree earners, international students were concentrated in business administration and computer science. At the graduate level, the largest concentrations appeared in specialized fields such as special education and the biological sciences. For prospective international students, these figures indicate a campus community with limited international peer networks and an educational environment focused heavily on domestic students.
Cost
2025 cost per year (out-of-state)
$37,957
- Undergrad tuition (out-of-state)
- $25,039
- Undergraduate tuition (in-state)
- $10,906
- Room and board
- $12,918
- Graduate tuition
- $27,218
Peer median tuition + room and board $32,840 · the 30 closest-ranked public national universities
Tuition rose 39% from 2016 to 2025; room and board rose 30%.
Finances · fiscal year 2024
Revenue$272M
Expenses$273M
Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)
Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at the 30 closest-ranked public national universities
Campus Life
Athletics and varsity athletes NCAA · Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference
Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference: basketball, baseball, cross country
| NCAA Division II without football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 126 | 89 |
| Soccer | 33 | 30 |
| Baseball | 45 | - |
| Lacrosse | - | 30 |
| Basketball | 16 | 13 |
| Softball | - | 27 |
| Volleyball | - | 16 |
| NCAA Division II without football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 119 | 98 |
| Soccer | 36 | 26 |
| Baseball | 38 | - |
| Basketball | 18 | 17 |
| Lacrosse | - | 32 |
| Softball | - | 30 |
| Volleyball | - | 16 |
| NCAA Division II without football | MEN | WOMEN |
|---|---|---|
| Track and Field and Cross Country (combined) | 106 | 85 |
| Soccer | 33 | 30 |
| Baseball | 39 | - |
| Basketball | 14 | 16 |
| Lacrosse | - | 27 |
| Softball | - | 24 |
| Volleyball | - | 17 |
| Golf | 8 | 8 |
Nearby & Safety
Ranked colleges nearby
-
Colorado CollegeColorado Springs · 3.3 mi
Liberal Arts #34
-
United States Air Force AcademyUSAF Academy · 9.5 mi
Liberal Arts #11
-
University of DenverDenver · 55.0 mi
U.S. News #121
-
University of Colorado DenverDenver · 58.9 mi
U.S. News #236
-
Regis UniversityDenver · 63.1 mi
U.S. News #276
-
Colorado School of MinesGolden · 63.5 mi
U.S. News #80
-
University of Colorado BoulderBoulder · 81.1 mi
U.S. News #109
-
Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins · 117.2 mi
U.S. News #169
-
University of WyomingLaramie · 172.1 mi
U.S. News #250
Data insights
Families exploring higher education options around Colorado Springs can consider several institutions within the region. Situated just 3.3 kilometers away, Colorado College is a liberal arts college holding a 2027 rank of 34 among national liberal arts colleges. Located 9.5 kilometers from campus, the United States Air Force Academy is another nearby liberal arts college, ranked 11th on the same 2027 list. Further north toward the Denver area, University of Denver is a national university positioned 54.9 kilometers away with a 2027 rank of 121. In addition, Colorado School of Mines is located 63.5 kilometers away, ranking 80th among national universities in 2027. These neighboring colleges offer nearby alternatives spanning liberal arts, military training, and technical research universities.
Peer median 5.1 · the 30 closest-ranked public national universities
Incidents, 2023–2025
From the Clery Act campus safety reports schools file, covering on-campus, non-campus and public property.
Data insights
Campus safety at the University of Colorado--Colorado Springs is characterized primarily by substance-related disciplinary violations rather than major offenses. In 2025, the university recorded a crime rate per 1,000 students of 7.9. Over the three-year period from 2023 to 2025, the vast majority of documented reports involved campus disciplinary referrals rather than criminal arrests. Specifically, the university documented 214 disciplinary referrals for liquor violations and 87 disciplinary referrals for drug violations across those years. Other offenses, such as stalking, arrests, and vehicle thefts, occurred in comparatively smaller numbers across campus grounds. For prospective students and families assessing daily life, these safety statistics indicate an environment where university policy enforcement and substance violations account for the bulk of recorded incidents rather than violent crime.
Notable Alumni
Notable alumni of University of Colorado Colorado Springs include Apolo Ohno (Short track speed skater, eight-time Olympic medalist), Adeline Gray (Freestyle wrestler, six-time world champion) and Mirai Nagasu (Figure skater, 2018 Olympic team event bronze medalist).
-
Apolo Ohno 1982–
Short track speed skater, eight-time Olympic medalist
-
Adeline Gray 1991–
Freestyle wrestler, six-time world champion
-
Mirai Nagasu 1993–
Figure skater, 2018 Olympic team event bronze medalist
-
John Herrington 1958–
NASA astronaut, first enrolled Native American tribe citizen in space
-
Amber English 1989–
Olympic women's skeet gold medalist at Tokyo
-
Jason Brown 1994–
Figure skater, 2015 U.S. national champion
-
Raquel Pennington 1988–
Former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion
-
Yusef Komunyakaa 1947–
Poet and 1994 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry winner
-
Brian Burrows 1988–
Sport shooter, Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist
More alumni (11, by field)
Politics and law
-
John Morse 1958–
Former president of the Colorado Senate
-
Teresa A. H. Djuric
Retired US Air Force brigadier general
-
Dave Williams
Former chair of the Colorado Republican Party
Science and academia
-
Scott Poteet 1973–
Retired Air Force pilot, Polaris Dawn mission pilot
-
Ed Pegg, Jr. 1963–
Recreational mathematician
Arts and media
-
Trevor Rainbolt 1998–
GeoGuessr player and streamer
Sports
-
Kevin McDowell 1992–
Professional triathlete
-
Charlee Minkin 1981–
Olympic judoka
-
Max Aaron 1992–
Figure skater, 2013 US national champion
-
Darrin Steele 1969–
Bobsledder at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics
-
Layla Almasri 1999–
Palestinian-American middle- and long-distance runner
From Wikidata “educated at” records (including people who attended without graduating), ordered by the number of Wikipedia language editions. Degrees and years follow Wikidata and are left out where it has none.
Recent News at University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Summarized daily from the school's official news. Click "Source" for the original story.
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The University of Colorado Colorado Springs made Military Times' 2026 Best for Vets: Colleges list, ranking fourth in Colorado.
Source: news.uccs.edu
No updates on this topic in this month.
References and Data Sources
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs Official Website
- USNews Best Colleges Ranking
- USNews Bset Global Universities Ranking
- THE World University Ranking
- QS World University Ranking
- ARWU World University Ranking
- US Department of Education College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics
- Forward Pathway US College Ranking Database
Data from IPEDS (U.S. Department of Education), U.S. News, THE, QS, ARWU and Clery Act campus safety reports. Data insights are written by the Forward Pathway data team from public data.