Colorado College

Colorado College is a private nonprofit liberal arts college in Colorado Springs, founded in 1874. Its defining feature is the Block Plan: students typically study one subject at a time in an intensive, 3½-week block, then move to the next course. This pace lets a class concentrate on a single field, but it also demands steady daily work and may feel very different from a conventional semester schedule. The college is a residential undergraduate institution with a small Master of Arts in Teaching program.

Block Plan, majors and accreditation

Students can choose from more than 80 majors, minors and specialized programs. Fields include computer science, economics, environmental studies, molecular biology, neuroscience, education, psychology, music, political science, sociology and theatre and dance. The college also offers combined or student-designed majors and thematic minors. The Block Plan supports fieldwork, extended projects and focused study, while the college’s all-college requirements bring students into courses beyond their main discipline.

Colorado College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Its undergraduate teacher-preparation programs and Master of Arts in Teaching are jointly accredited by the Colorado Department of Higher Education and Colorado Department of Education. Review the current catalog and department pages for exact major requirements, prerequisites and course availability; the college notes that the listed programs and rules can change. Its majors and minors directory links to program details.

Tuition, financial aid and scholarships

For 2026–27, full-time tuition and the activity fee are $76,230. Published rates also list $9,616 for a traditional double dorm room and $7,744 for a full meal plan. Choosing those options brings the combined billed charges to about $93,590 before other personal and travel costs; housing and meal-plan choices affect the total. Part-time billing is calculated by the number of blocks. Check the college’s tuition, room and meal rates and use its cost estimator for a household-specific projection.

The college says it aims to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students, so need-based grants and aid are central to its approach. Merit scholarships are limited and highly competitive; some awards have separate eligibility rules and cannot be combined. The college says there is no appeal process to request a merit award or increase one. Families should submit required financial-aid forms by the deadlines and compare the actual aid offer, expected work contribution and any borrowing against the full cost. See the scholarship and aid information for current details.

Colorado Springs campus and visiting

Main campus: 14 E. Cache La Poudre Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903; general phone (719) 389-6000. The college’s general administrative hours during the academic year are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. The Worner Campus Center information desk, which serves visitors and provides campus information, normally operates 8:30 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekends; hours can change during breaks. Admission visits are offered on most weekdays and selected Saturdays, by reservation. Parking near the Admission Office is limited, so follow the instructions sent with your tour confirmation.

The college’s visit page offers information sessions and student-led campus tours. Prospective students can begin through the application and admission page. The campus is in central Colorado Springs, with nearby bus service and views of Pikes Peak; confirm accessibility and parking needs with the college before traveling.

What students and visitors say

Comments about the campus often praise its setting, friendly staff and the close-knit feel of a small college. Student accounts also describe the Block Plan as immersive and intellectually rewarding, while some say the pace is intense and can be hard to balance with demanding science or language classes. Other concerns in public student feedback include cost, housing and dining, and how well student services respond to individual needs. These are personal accounts, not a measure of every student’s experience. During a visit, ask current students about workload between blocks, available academic and mental-health support, residential life and how financial aid works for families with circumstances like yours.