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U.S. News #382 Public, 4-year

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, Colorado · www.uccs.edu

中文

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
Colorado Springs, Colorado
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

Acceptance rate (%)

Peer median 85.3% · the 30 closest-ranked public national universities

Acceptance rate by gender, 2025

Men
96.8%
Women
97.7%

In 2020: men 86.3%, women 87.9%.

U.S. News National Universities · last 10 years
#277 #311 #345 #379 2020: #293 #293 2021: #298 2022: #299 2023: #331 2024: #394 2025: #392 2026: #395 #395 2027: #382 #382 20202027

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

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

SAT total1010–1220Peer median 1055
ACT composite20–26
SAT Reading
510–620
600700800
SAT Math
500–600
600700800
ACT composite
20–26
253036

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)

Bachelor's1,89719 international (1.0%)
Master's53227 international (5.1%)
Doctoral382 international (5.3%)
Top 10 Bachelor's majors by graduates
Business Administration and Management, General
306
Psychology, General
184
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse
161
Communication, General
122
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration
116
Computer Science
115
Biology/Biological Sciences, General
79
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology
71
Social Work
61
Mechanical Engineering
57

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

Businesshas 413 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Business Administration and Management, General.$53,318-$100,560
Accounting.-
Health professionshas 251 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General.$43,428
Athletic Training/Trainer.-
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse.$78,698-$109,081
Educationhas 220 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
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
Biologyhas 205 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.$37,485
Biochemistry.$31,980
Physiology, General.$39,148
Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology.$39,148
Psychology has 202 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Psychology, General.$39,518
Public administrationhas 185 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Human Services, General.$28,313
Public Administration.$65,728
Social Work.-
Computer and information sciencehas 170 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
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
Communication has 141 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Communication, General.$40,525
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia.-
Engineeringhas 136 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
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.-
Social sciencehas 134 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
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
Homeland security has 133 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration.$44,755-$55,620
English has 65 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
English Language and Literature, General.$39,604
Professional, Technical, Business, and Scientific Writing.-
History has 58 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
History, General.$43,202
Visual and Performing artshas 47 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Visual and Performing Arts, General.$26,731
Music, Other.-
Multi/inerdisciplinary studies has 41 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General.-
Biological and Physical Sciences.$38,471
Museology/Museum Studies.-
Natural Sciences.-
Philosophy has 24 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Philosophy.$29,425
Mathmatics and statistics has 17 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Mathematics, General.$50,106
Applied Mathematics, General.-
Physical scienceshas 16 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Chemistry, General.-
Physics, General.-
Cultural has 7 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other.-
Foreign languages has 2 graduates in 2025
MajorGraduate SalaryUnderMasterDoctor
Spanish Language and Literature.-

Students

11,354 students in 2025 · Undergraduate men to women 47:53 · Freshman retention 68.4%

Undergraduate race and ethnicity (9,302)

White
5,543 · 59.6%
Hispanic
1,891 · 20.3%
Two or more races
705 · 7.6%
Black
452 · 4.9%
Asian
377 · 4.1%
Unknown
171 · 1.8%
International
79 · 0.8%

Age distribution

Bachelor's

Under 18
6.2%
18–19
28.0%
20–21
27.0%
22–24
16.1%
25 and over
22.7%

Graduate students

Under 22
1.3%
22–24
16.1%
25–29
22.8%
30–34
18.4%
35 and over
41.5%

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

Undergraduates0.8%

79 in 2025 · 1.4% in 2016

0% 5% 10% 2016: 1.4%2017: 1.1%2018: 0.9%2019: 0.9%2020: 0.9%2021: 0.8%2022: 0.7%2023: 0.9%2024: 0.9%2025: 0.8%
2016Peer median 1.6%2025
Graduate students5.5%

112 in 2025 · 7.9% in 2016

0% 5% 10% 2016: 7.9%2017: 7.2%2018: 6.3%2019: 5.0%2020: 5.1%2021: 4.3%2022: 4.3%2023: 4.2%2024: 5.3%2025: 5.5%
2016Peer median 8.4%2025

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
Out-of-state tuition and room and board over time

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

Tuition and fees
$116M42.8%
Government grants and contracts
$70.4M25.9%
Auxiliary enterprises
$33.7M12.4%
Gifts and private grants
$11.4M4.2%
Sales and services of educational activities
$2.8M1.0%
Investment return
$1.0M0.4%
Other
$36.3M13.4%

Expenses$273M

Instruction
$113M41.3%
Auxiliary enterprises
$47.1M17.3%
Academic support
$34.9M12.8%
Institutional support
$29.7M10.9%
Student services
$29.4M10.8%
Research
$8.3M3.0%
Scholarships
$5.6M2.1%
Public service
$4.6M1.7%

Average faculty salary · 2025 (9-month equivalent)

Dark gray ticks: median pay for the same rank at the 30 closest-ranked public national universities

All faculty
$84,275peers $80,163
Professor
$123,613peers $100,392
Associate professor
$97,866peers $84,610
Assistant professor
$83,553peers $75,150
Instructor
$62,376peers $58,718
Lecturer
$65,000peers $60,718

Campus Life

Athletics and varsity athletes NCAA · Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference

Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference: basketball, baseball, cross country

2025
NCAA Division II without footballMENWOMEN
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)12689
Soccer3330
Baseball45-
Lacrosse-30
Basketball1613
Softball-27
Volleyball-16
2024
NCAA Division II without footballMENWOMEN
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)11998
Soccer3626
Baseball38-
Basketball1817
Lacrosse-32
Softball-30
Volleyball-16
2023
NCAA Division II without footballMENWOMEN
Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)10685
Soccer3330
Baseball39-
Basketball1416
Lacrosse-27
Softball-24
Volleyball-17
Golf88

Nearby & Safety

Ranked colleges nearby

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.

Campus safety · incidents per 1,000 students

Peer median 5.1 · the 30 closest-ranked public national universities

Incidents, 2023–2025

Liquor referrals
214
Drug referrals
87
Liquor arrests
40
Stalking
40
Rape
27
Motor vehicle theft
18

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).

More alumni (11, by field)

Politics and law

Science and academia

  • Scott Poteet 1973–

    Retired Air Force pilot, Polaris Dawn mission pilot

    Master of Science · Leadership studies, Counseling · Class of 2010

    Also attended: University of New Hampshire-Main Campus

  • 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

    Also attended: Pikes Peak State College

  • Darrin Steele 1969–

    Bobsledder at the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics

    Also attended: Eastern Illinois University

  • Layla Almasri 1999–

    Palestinian-American middle- and long-distance runner

    Master of Science · Class of 2023

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.

1Updates in the past 12 months
Nov 9Latest update
Programs & rankingsMost common topic
  1. New Rankings

    The University of Colorado Colorado Springs made Military Times' 2026 Best for Vets: Colleges list, ranking fourth in Colorado.

    Source: news.uccs.edu

References and Data Sources

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.