University of Colorado at Colorado Springs College Portrait
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719)255-3084
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is a destination for innovation, activity, and self-discovery. Set amidst the foothill of Pikes Peak our campus offers you the chance to Reach Higher.
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) enrolls over 9,800 students in a variety of unique and challenging academic programs at an affordable cost. We offer you a high-quality University of Colorado education, with small class sizes, opportunities to interact with professors, and amazing facilities to enhance your learning experience. Schedule a visit today to see our spectacular campus and find out if UCCS is the place for you.
Living in the UCCS Community
We admit living in Colorado is pretty fantastic. We have legendary snow and 300 days of sunshine; mild summers and vibrant falls; big cities and small mountain towns; sand dunes and raging rapids. And whether you stay close to campus or explore the whole state, there’s always something to do.
Over the past five years, UCCS has seen tremendous growth. Dwire Hall is renovated for our Business, Languages, and Criminal Justice students; there is a new Campus Recreation Center; expanded learning facilities for Biology and Engineering students; a new Gallogly Events Center for Mountain Lion athletic games and events; and a renovated and rededicated Centennial Hall for Chemistry, Anthropology, and Geography and Environmental Studies students. Our students use some of the newest laboratories in the state. We've also created new spaces on campus for students to spend time relaxing, reading or enjoying moments with friends.
At UCCS, college doesn’t just happen in the classroom. It happens at a Mountain Lions game, a Theatreworks production, a yoga class at the Rec Center, or over a sandwich at Clyde’s. We know a campus alive and buzzing with activities is just as important as books, writing papers, and study time.
The Big Picture: How many students were on campus in Fall 2010?
More Information
| Total Students | 9,348 | |
|---|---|---|
Undergraduate Snapshot
| Total Undergraduate Students | 7,300 | |
|---|---|---|
| Gender | ||
| Women | 3,925 | 54% |
| Men | 3,375 | 46% |
| Race/Ethnicity | ||
| American Indian / Alaskan Native | 67 | 1% |
| Asian | 361 | 5% |
| African American / Black | 294 | 4% |
| Hispanic | 846 | 12% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 1 | <1% |
| White | 5,289 | 72% |
| Two or More Races | 63 | 1% |
| International | 44 | 1% |
| Race/Ethnicity Not Reported | 335 | 5% |
| Where do UCCS undergraduates call home? | |
|---|---|
| Colorado | 93% |
| Other US States & Territories | 6% |
| Other Countries | <1% |
| Residency Unknown | <1% |
| How old are UCCS undergraduates? | |
| Average Age | 23 |
| Percent of Undergraduates Age 25 or Older | 25% |
New Student Applications (Fall 2010)
New Freshmen High School Background and Test Scores
Test(s) Required for Admission: SAT or ACT recommended
| Test Scores of Enrolled New Freshmen | ACT | SAT |
|---|---|---|
| Composite | 21 - 26 | |
| Math | 20 - 26 | 480 - 610 |
| English | 20 - 26 | |
| Critical Reading | 480 - 600 |
50% of admitted students have test scores within the ranges listed, 25% have scores above, and 25% have scores below.
| High School Background of Enrolled New Freshmen | ||
|---|---|---|
| Percent in top 25% of High School Graduating Class | 39% | |
| Percent in top 50% of High School Graduating Class | 73% | |
| Percent of New Freshmen who submitted HS GPA | 76% | |
| Average High School GPA (4-point scale) | 3.27 | |
| Percent who submitted High School GPA | 91% | |
Sticker Price: How much does it cost on average?
Typical Undergraduate Costs for 2009-10 without Financial Aid (Full-Time, In-State Students)
Total Typical Cost of Attendance: $15,230
Tuition rates for the fall semester and following terms are established by the state legislature in the spring, usually in March or April.Out-of-State & Other Costs
More Information
The cost to attend University of Colorado at Colorado Springs varies based on the individual circumstances of students and may be reduced through grants and scholarships.
How much would I pay?
Financial Aid: How much help is there to pay?
Scholarships & Grants
- 44% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based grants or scholarships; the average award for the year was $6,169. Scholarships and grants are financial aid that does not need to be repaid and is sometimes referred to as gift aid.
Annual Need-Based Loans
- 43% of 2009-10 full-time undergraduates received need-based work-study and/or loans (not including parent loans); the average loan for the year was $4,374. Loans need to be repaid. Typically, repayment starts once you are no longer enrolled full-time. Please refer to page 12 of the Funding Education Beyond High School guide on the US Department of Education's Federal Student Aid website for more information about Financial Need.
Percent of 2008-2009 Full-time Beginning Students Receiving Each Type of Financial Aid
NOTE: Students may receive aid from more than one source.
UCCS Classes & Instructors
| Classroom Environment | |
|---|---|
| Students per Faculty | 21 to 1 |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 30 students | 62% |
| Undergraduate classes with fewer than 50 students | 82% |
| Total Full-Time Instructional Faculty | 325 |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Female | 51% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Are Persons of Color | 14% |
| % of Full-Time Instructional Faculty Who Have the Highest Academic Degree Offered in Their Field of Study | 62% |
More Information
Campus-based Housing
46% of new freshmen live in campus-based housing or residence halls.
13% of all undergraduates live on campus
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Campus Safety
Your safety and security are of utmost importance to the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. Numerous people and resources on the campus and in the Colorado Springs community are dedicated to providing you with a safe working, learning, and living environment.
Campus Crime Statistics
Carnegie Classification of Institutional Characteristics
The Carnegie Classification's were created "to reference the great diversity of colleges and universities in the United States, and ... enable [people] to identify groups of roughly comparable institutions." For information on the Carnegie Classifications system, please visit their website: http://classifications.carnegiefoundation.org/
- Basic Type
- Master's Colleges and Universities (larger programs)
- Size and Setting
- Medium four-year, primarily nonresidential
- Enrollment Profile
- High undergraduate
- Undergraduate Profile
- Full-time four-year, more selective, lower transfer-in
- Undergraduate Instructional Program
- Arts & sciences plus professions, some graduate coexistence
- Graduate Instructional Program
- Single doctoral (other field)
NOTE: Institutional classifications based on the Carnegie 2005 edition.
More Information
Student Activities and Involvement at UCCS
Students who are actively involved in their own learning and development are more likely to be successful in college. Colleges and universities offer students a wide variety of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom to become engaged with new ideas, people, and experiences. Institutions measure the effectiveness of these opportunities in a variety of ways to better understand what types of activities and programs students find the most helpful.
Institutions participating in the VSA program measure student involvement on campus using one of four national surveys. Results from the one survey are reported for a common set of questions selected as part of VSA. Following are the selected results from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). The questions have been grouped together in categories that are known to contribute to student learning and development. The results reported below are based on the responses of seniors who participated in the survey.
Group Learning Experiences
- 88% percent of seniors worked with classmates on assignments outside of class.
- 51% of seniors tutored or taught other students
- 13% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week participating in co-curricular activities such as student organizations and intramural sports
Active Learning Experiences
- 86% of seniors spent at least 6 hours per week preparing for class
- 15% of seniors worked on a research project with a faculty member
- 38% of seniors participated in an internship, practicum, or field experience
- 53% of seniors participated in community service or volunteer work
- 6% of seniors participated in study abroad
- 93% of seniors made at least one class presentation last year
Institutional Commitment to Student Learning and Success
- 93% of seniors believe this institution provides support for student success
- 59% of seniors rated the quality of academic advising at this institution as good or excellent
- 51% of seniors reported that this institution provided help in coping with work, family and other non-academic responsibilities
- 93% of seniors reported working harder than they thought they could to meet an instructor's standards or expectations
Student Interaction with Campus Faculty and Staff
- 49% of seniors believed that the campus staff were helpful, considerate, or flexible
- 75% of seniors believed that faculty are available, helpful, or sympathetic
- 93% of seniors reported that faculty members provided prompt feedback on their academic performance
- 64% of seniors discussed readings or ideas with faculty members outside of class
Experiences with Diverse Groups of People and Ideas
- 60% of seniors reported that they often tried to understand someone else's point of view
- 60% of seniors reported their experience at this institution contributed to their understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds
- 50% of seniors often had serious conversations with students of a different race or ethnicity
Student Satisfaction
- 76% of seniors would attend this institution if they started over again
- 82% of seniors rated their entire educational experience as good or excellent
- 76% of seniors reported that other students were friendly or supportive
Evaluation of Experiences
Survey Administration Process
Survey Information
Majors and Degrees
| Degrees awarded at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's | 1,226 |
| Master's | 496 |
| Doctoral | 17 |
| Total | 1,739 |
More Information
| Areas of Study with the largest number of bachelor's degrees awarded in 2009-10 | |
|---|---|
| BUSINESS, MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, AND RELATED SUPPORT SERVICES | 22% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 9% |
| Psychology, General | 9% |
| Communication and Media Studies | 9% |
| Biology, General | 8% |
| Links to degree programs at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs |
|---|
Bachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral |
Student Success & Progress Rate
A 79% four-year success and progress rate means that 79% of students starting in Fall 2004 either graduated or are still enrolled at a higher education institution four years later.
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Counts for the Fall 2004 entering class shown in the graph above.
- 964 First-Time, Full-Time Students
- 682 Full-Time Transfer Students
Success & Progress Rate Table
Retention of Freshman Class
First-time students in Fall 2009 that returned for their second year: 68%
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Student Learning at University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
All colleges and universities use multiple approaches to measure student learning. Many of these are specific to particular disciplines, many are coordinated with accrediting agencies, and many are based on outcomes after students have graduated.
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs is committed to meaningful assessment that results in program improvement and student learning. Colorado institutions of higher education are required by legislative statute to design and implement "a systematic program to assess the knowledge, capacities, and skills developed by students in academic and co-curricular programs" (HB1187, CRS 23-13-101, Article 13, passed 1985). In addition, the accrediting body for UCCS, the North Central Association, expects that "a program of assessment of student academic achievement exists and that its usefulness be a key indicator of how well an institution" can document and improve its educational effectiveness (NCA Handbook of Accreditation, 2nd Ed., p. 42). Accordingly, the Student Achievement Assessment Committee (SAAC), composed of faculty, staff and student members, oversees the implementation and advancement of assessment of student achievement and student learning at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Learning Assessment Examples
Pilot Project to Measure Core Learning Outcomes
Colleges and universities participating in the College Portrait measure the typical improvement in students' abilities to think, reason, and write using one of three tests. This is part of a pilot project to better understand and compare what students learn between their freshman and senior years at different colleges and universities.
2009-09 Results from the ETS Proficiency Profile (formerly MAPP)
The ETS Proficiency Profile (formerly MAPP) measures critical thinking, analytic reasoning, and written communication and reports separate scores on critical thinking and written communication.
Test Administration Process
Test Information
Critical Thinking Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 110
Senior Score: 113
ETS score range: 100 to 130
Average ACT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 23
Senior Score: 23
Average SAT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1067
Senior Score: 1090
Written Communication Results for First-time, Full-time Students
The increase in learning on the performance task is at or near what would be expected at an institution testing students of similar academic abilities.
Freshman Score: 115
Senior Score: 114
ETS score range: 100 to 130
Average ACT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 23
Senior Score: 23
Average SAT scores for tested students
Freshman Score: 1067
Senior Score: 1090