University of Colorado Colorado Springs combines accessible admission with solid economic outcomes for graduates. As an Opportunity Builder institution, UCCS maintains open access while delivering earnings $4,543 above peer medians and debt levels that support long-term financial stability for working-class students.
Around the national average, indicating solid but not exceptional outcomes relative to educational investment
With above average performance, driven by controlled costs and reasonable debt levels relative to peer institutions
Around the national average, reflecting moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With well above average performance, reflecting the institution's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for diverse student populations
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Open access with strong SAT performance
University of Colorado Colorado Springs ranks #455 nationally with composite performance at the 72.1st percentile. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this medium-sized public university maintains open access admission standards with a 96.6% acceptance rate while delivering above-average post-graduation outcomes.
UCCS enrolls 26.2% Pell-eligible students and 31.3% first-generation students, serving diverse backgrounds in the Colorado Springs metropolitan area. The institution operates within the Opportunity Builders mobility quadrant, combining broad educational access with solid economic outcomes for graduates.
SAT scores rank at the 91st percentile nationally, indicating academically prepared students despite the open admission policy. Graduates demonstrate steady earnings growth and manageable debt levels, positioning UCCS as a practical choice for students seeking quality education without prohibitive selectivity barriers.
UCCS delivers solid earnings outcomes relative to its accessible admission standards and moderate cost structure. Graduates earn a median of $54,659 ten years after enrollment, ranking at the 55th percentile nationally and $4,543 above the peer median of $50,116.
While earnings fall slightly below expectations by $1,149, this represents typical performance for similar institutions. Earnings range from $34,957 at the 25th percentile to $81,777 at the 75th percentile, reflecting varied career paths across the institution's 20 degree programs.
Students seeking accessible higher education with manageable debt levels and strong regional employment outcomes. Well-suited for adult learners, first-generation students (31.3%), and Pell-eligible students (26.2%) looking for a medium-sized public university with open admission and practical career preparation.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the University Of Colorado Colorado Springs hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-colorado-colorado-springs/analysis.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs maintains open access admission standards, accepting 96.6% of applicants. This places UCCS among the most accessible four-year public universities, where roughly 19 out of every 20 applicants receive admission offers.
The peer median admission rate of 84.6% demonstrates that UCCS admits students at significantly higher rates than typical regional public universities. This open access mission reflects the institution's commitment to serving diverse student populations, including working adults, transfer students, and first-generation college students throughout the Colorado Springs metropolitan area.
The high acceptance rate means that students with varied academic backgrounds can gain admission, though academic preparation still influences success once enrolled. For prospective students, UCCS represents a realistic option where admission is likely regardless of high school performance, making it particularly valuable for students seeking second chances or non-traditional pathways to higher education.
Students should focus on academic preparation for college-level work rather than admission strategy, as acceptance is highly probable across diverse academic backgrounds. This accessibility makes University of Colorado Colorado Springs an important educational resource for Colorado residents and others seeking practical, career-focused higher education without competitive admission barriers.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs maintains moderate costs that support accessible higher education for Colorado residents and regional students. The published cost of attendance totals $23,713 annually, including $9,712 in in-state tuition, $12,278 for room and board, and $1,400 for books and supplies.
Out-of-state students face higher tuition of $20,492, though many qualify for reduced rates through various programs. The average student pays $16,431 after financial aid, representing savings of $7,282 from the sticker price.
This net price runs $2,338 below the peer median of $14,093, making UCCS more affordable than typical regional public universities. The cost structure reflects Colorado's commitment to accessible public higher education while maintaining quality academic programs.
Financial aid coverage varies significantly by family income, with lower-income students receiving substantially more support than higher-income families. Cost of attendance figures assume full-time enrollment and campus housing, though many UCCS students live off-campus or attend part-time, potentially reducing actual costs.
The moderate pricing combined with solid earnings outcomes creates favorable conditions for educational return on investment, particularly for Colorado residents who benefit from in-state tuition rates.
University of Colorado Colorado Springs graduates demonstrate consistent earnings progression over their early careers. Median earnings increase from $45,766 six years after enrollment to $52,312 at eight years and $54,659 at ten years, representing 19.4% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from a ten-year cohort of 2,464 graduates, providing reliable confidence in reported figures. Earnings outcomes position UCCS graduates at the 55th percentile nationally, indicating above-average performance relative to all four-year institutions.
Low-income graduates earn $49,000, demonstrating strong economic mobility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The earnings distribution spans from $34,957 to $81,777, reflecting program diversity from liberal arts to engineering and health sciences.
Approximately 23.2% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. While earnings fall $1,149 below statistical expectations, this represents typical performance for public regional universities with similar student demographics and program offerings.
Computer Science.
83 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
37 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
16 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
119 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
196 graduates
University of Colorado Colorado Springs offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data available for analysis. Computer Science ranks #100 nationally and #4 in Colorado, graduating 83 students with median earnings of $93,266 and a strong value score of 45.9.
Adult Health Nursing ranks #157 nationally and #2 in Colorado, producing 196 graduates earning $69,329 with manageable debt levels. Business Administration represents the institution's largest program, graduating 362 students annually with median earnings of $55,029, ranking #212 nationally but #5 in Colorado.
Health Services ranks exceptionally well at #23 nationally and #1 in Colorado, graduating 53 students with earnings of $54,388 and the highest value score of 71.8. Communication and Media Studies ranks #130 nationally and #2 in Colorado, while Corrections Administration places #97 nationally and #2 in Colorado.
These rankings demonstrate UCCS's strength across diverse academic areas, from technical fields to professional programs, supporting varied career paths for graduates.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Vermont State University Similar quality tier (#450 ranked) | VT | 83% | $50,331 | #450 | Compare |
University Of Central Arkansas Similar quality tier (#448 ranked) | AR | 90% | $45,938 | #448 | Compare |
University Of Wisconsin-Green Bay Similar quality tier (#446 ranked) | WI | 88% | $52,528 | #446 | Compare |
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania Similar quality tier (#459 ranked) | PA | 79% | $61,258 | #459 | Compare |
University Of Arkansas At Little Rock Similar quality tier (#461 ranked) | AR | 58% | $45,265 | #461 | Compare |
