Most selective colleges in Colorado
Colleges that admit the smallest share of applicants.
Most selective colleges in Colorado7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by admission rate.
How this list is made
- Schools in Colorado.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has an admission rate from federal data (College Scorecard). Average SAT scores are shown where the college reports them.
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by admission rate, lowest first. Selectivity measures demand for places, not the quality of teaching.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
United States Air Force Academy
USAF Academy, CO · PublicHonor Roll#1 in Colorado
- Admits 14%
- Average SAT 1350
- 2
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Admits 18%
- Average SAT 1365
- 3
- 4
- 5
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Admits 78%
- Average SAT 1357
- 6
- 7
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States Air Force Academy | — | — | — | 88% |
| Colorado College | $33,375 | $18,257 | $65,222 | 88% |
| Colorado School of Mines | $28,690 | $23,000 | $97,335 | 82% |
| University of Denver | $36,131 | $21,844 | $71,155 | 76% |
| University of Colorado Boulder | $25,346 | $19,500 | $69,738 | 74% |
| Regis University | $18,397 | $25,000 | $72,105 | 61% |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins | $21,279 | $20,000 | $60,543 | 67% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 57
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 20
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 19
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 18
- Ohio 32
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 9
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 17
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 22
- Washington 12
- Wisconsin 15