10 Colleges in Colorado With High Acceptance Rates 2026

Some students struggle in high school but thrive in college, and schools with high acceptance rates give these students a chance. Many schools across the U.S., including several in Colorado, have high acceptance rates.

These colleges accept most students who apply, even if their GPA or test scores aren't the best. Keep reading to discover Colorado colleges with high acceptance rates.

Are There Good Universities With High Acceptance Rates in Colorado?

There are several colleges in Colorado with high acceptance rates. Though some of the top colleges in the U.S. are indeed highly selective, the acceptance rate itself is not the sole indicator of how good a school is.

What Is Considered a High Acceptance Rate for Colleges in Colorado?

In general, a college with an acceptance rate of over 50% is considered to have a high acceptance rate; after all, these schools accept the majority of applicants.

In Colorado, no universities have an acceptance rate below 10%, and there are over a dozen four-year institutions with an acceptance rate over 90%.

What Are the Easiest Colleges to Get Into in Colorado?

The easiest colleges to get into in Colorado are open admissions colleges. These colleges accept all students who meet their minimum admissions requirements, which are usually a high school diploma and sometimes a minimum GPA.

Most community colleges in Colorado are open admissions. Adams State University, Colorado Christian University, Colorado Mountain College, and Pikes Peak State College are all open admissions.

Other easy colleges to get into in Colorado include:

• Colorado State University Pueblo: 100% acceptance rate
• Metropolitan State University of Denver: 99% acceptance rate
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs: 97% acceptance rate
• Western Colorado University: 97% acceptance rate

Best Colleges in Colorado With the Highest Acceptance Rates

Below, we've highlighted the nonprofit four-year schools in Colorado with the highest acceptance rates.

Note that we did not include community colleges; however, there are some community colleges in Colorado that offer bachelor's degrees and have open admissions.

1. Adams State University

Adams State University is a public institution in Alamosa, CO. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus and online in fields like:

• business
• education
• liberal arts
• social sciences

Admissions are open to students with a high school diploma or equivalent, like a GED. Students can submit their ACT/SAT test scores if they'd like, but these are not required.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $9,824 per year (in-state); $21,944 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

2. Colorado Christian University

At Colorado Christian University (CCU), students can learn in person or online. Associate through doctoral degrees are available, with areas of study including business, education, healthcare, and religion.

CCU, a private Christian school, is located in Lakewood, CO. The university accepts all students with a high school diploma and a minimum 3.0 GPA; students with a lower GPA are accepted on a case-by-case basis.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $41,342 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

3. Colorado Mountain College

Colorado Mountain College (CMC) offers undergraduate degrees on campus and online. CMC is a public college in Glenwood Springs, CO.

Students can earn degrees in fields like business, health sciences, liberal arts, and the trades. CMC is an open admissions college and accepts all students, regardless of GPA or test scores.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $2,616 (in-district); $5,112 (in-state); $12,840 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

4. Pikes Peak State College

In-person and online undergraduate degrees are available at Pikes Peak State College (PPSC). Areas of study here include business, healthcare, liberal arts, and technology.

PPSC, located in Colorado Springs, is a public college. It offers open enrollment to those with a high school diploma or equivalent.

• Acceptance rate: Open
• Estimated tuition cost: $4,510 (in-state); $17,110 (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

5. Colorado State University Pueblo

Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) is a public institution in Pueblo, CO. It offers associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees online in fields like:

• business administration
• education
• health sciences
• social sciences

CSU Pueblo expects applicants to have a GPA of at least 2.3, but those with a lower GPA may be admitted on probationary acceptance. First-year students here may be eligible for free tuition through the school's Pack Promise Scholarship.

• Acceptance rate: 100%
• Estimated tuition cost: $9,720 per year (in-state); $17,944 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

6. Metropolitan State University of Denver

Students at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) can earn in-person associate through doctoral degrees as well as online bachelor's and master's degrees. Areas of study include biological sciences, business, social sciences, and technology.

MSU Denver, a public university, is located in Denver. Applicants must submit their official high school transcripts and ACT/SAT test results.

• Acceptance rate: 99%
• Estimated tuition cost: $11,124 per year (in-state); $30,684 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

7. University of Colorado Colorado Springs

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) offers undergraduate and graduate degrees on campus and online. UCCS is a public research university in Colorado Springs.

Students can earn degrees in fields like biology, business, engineering, and social sciences. To apply, students must have a high school diploma or equivalent, but test scores are optional.

• Acceptance rate: 97%
• Estimated tuition cost: $10,149 per year (in-state); $24,336 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

8. Western Colorado University

In-person and online bachelor's and master's degrees are available at Western Colorado University, also called Western. Areas of study include business, healthcare, liberal arts, and natural sciences.

Western, located in Gunnison, CO, is a public university. Students must submit their official transcripts; test scores, letters of recommendation, and personal essays are optional.

• Acceptance rate: 97%
• Estimated tuition cost: $11,318 per year (in-state); $24,434 per year (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: HLC

9. Naropa University

Naropa University is a private, nonprofit institution in Boulder, CO. It offers bachelor's and master's degrees on campus, as well as online bachelor's degrees and low-residency master's programs.

Students can earn these degrees in fields like English, environmental sciences, psychology, and religion. Applicants with a GPA under 3.0 are required to submit an admissions essay and have a consultation with an admissions counselor.

• Acceptance rate: 94%
• Estimated tuition cost: $36,620 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

10. Colorado State University Global

Through Colorado State University Global (CSU Global), students can earn online bachelor's and master's degrees. Areas of study include business, healthcare, human services, and information technology.

CSU Global, the fully online campus of the CSU system, is headquartered in Denver. Admissions requirements for first-year students include at least one year of work experience and a high school GPA of at least 2.8.

• Acceptance rate: 93%
• Estimated tuition cost: $9,000 per year
• Accreditation: HLC

Admissions Requirements for Colleges With High Acceptance Rates in Colorado

Acceptance requirements vary by school, but all schools require first-year students to have a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Students in their senior year of high school are allowed to apply if they submit their transcripts.

Other admissions requirements may include:

• a minimum GPA or minimum GED score
• ACT/SAT test scores
• personal essays
• letters of recommendation
• work experience

FAQs About Colleges in Colorado With High Acceptance Rates

A college with a high acceptance rate can be a great option for students who had a hard time in high school. Below, we've answered some questions about these schools so you can determine if this is a good choice for you.

Are There Open Admissions Colleges in Colorado?

There are several open admissions colleges in Colorado, including:

• Adams State University
• Colorado Christian University
• Colorado Mountain College
• Pikes Peak State College

Additionally, most community colleges have open admissions. Some open admissions community colleges that offer bachelor's degrees in Colorado include Arapahoe Community College, Front Range Community College, and Pueblo Community College.

What Is the Hardest School To Get Into in Colorado?

The hardest school to get into in Colorado is the United States Air Force Academy. It's a military academy that provides an education to cadets in the Air Force and Space Force. The academy is based in Colorado Springs, CO, and has an acceptance rate of 14%.

Outside of that, the hardest non-military school to get into in Colorado is Colorado College. Also based in Colorado Springs, it has an acceptance rate of 20%.

Which Colleges Have a 100% Acceptance Rate in Colorado?

Aside from the open admissions colleges in Colorado, CSU Pueblo has a 100% acceptance rate. It's closely followed by MSU Denver, with a 99% acceptance rate.

What Colleges Accept a 2.5 GPA in Colorado?

Several colleges in Colorado will accept a 2.5 GPA. Of those listed above, the following accept a 2.5 GPA:

• Adams State University
• Colorado Mountain College
• Pikes Peak State College
• CSU Pueblo
• MSU Denver
• UCSC
• Western Colorado University

Note that just because they accept a low GPA, these aren't necessarily easy colleges in Colorado. However, they're a great option if you want a fresh start after a rough time in high school.

Explore Colleges in Colorado

Start your journey toward earning a degree in Colorado by exploring the high-admission colleges featured on Learn.org. Reach out to specific schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.