Colorado College isn’t as widely known as certain other highly selective liberal arts colleges on the East Coast, but rest assured that this Colorado-based private college is just as highly selective as it is a joy to attend. Colorado College has a considerably low acceptance rate and, alongside other elite schools of its caliber, has made a name for itself by turning away some applicants with perfect grades and test scores. So what sets apart those who get in from those who don’t? How much of a factor is GPA in the admissions process? Ivy Coach is here to review the answers to those questions and more.

Colorado College Admissions Rate

Let’s begin this discussion by taking a look at the Colorado College acceptance rate. For applicants to Colorado College’s Class of 2029, a moderate 22% earned admission. The year prior, for the Class of 2028, this figure fell to 18.47%, while for the Class of 2027, 20.03% wound up with acceptance letters. Let us translate: there’s no telling how the Class of 2030 will fare. It may set a new record for selectivity, or it may fall in line with previous cycles.

What is a Good GPA for Getting into Colorado College?

GPA Percentage of Colorado College Class of 2028

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of Colorado’s Class of 2028, as reported in Colorado’s 2024-25 Common Data Set:

GPA	Percentage of Colorado College Class of 2028
4.0	45.2%
3.75-3.99	27.0%
3.5-3.74	15.6%
3.25-3.49	9.1%
3.0-3.24	2.4%
2.5-2.99	0.5%
2.0-2.49	0.2%
1.0-1.99	0%

GPA Percentage of Colorado College Class of 2027

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of Colorado’s Class of 2027:

GPA	Percentage of Colorado College Class of 2027
4.0	14.0%
3.75-3.99	36.0%
3.5-3.74	23.0%
3.25-3.49	21.0%
3.0-3.24	6.0%
2.5-2.99	0%
2.0-2.49	0%

GPA Percentage of Colorado College Class of 2026

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of Colorado’s Class of 2026:

GPA	Percentage of Colorado College Class of 2026
4.0	44.0%
3.75-3.99	32.0%
3.5-3.74	15.0%
3.25-3.49	7.0%
3.0-3.24	1.0%
2.5-2.99	1.0%
2.0-2.49	0%

Further Context on GPAs of Colorado College Students

So, last year, 45% of students who enrolled in Colorado College’s Class of 2028 boasted a 4.0 GPA, while only 14% of students did for Colorado’s Class of 2027. Looking back at the Class of 2026, this figure shoots back up to 44.0%. What gives? We suspect that Colorado College may have used a weighted GPA metric for certain years but not for others. This would explain why the distribution of grades for admitted students varies so much from year to year.

In any event, this irregularity highlights that GPA alone is not a reliable metric for predicting whether a student can be accepted into Colorado College. No, not even the former elite college admissions officers at Ivy Coach can make such a prediction.

Without context, including the high school attended, the rigor of the student’s coursework, their extracurriculars, essays, letters of recommendation, and so much more, no one can ascertain admissions odds, as GPA is just one piece in the puzzle.

Can I Get into Colorado College with a Low GPA?

Each year, Colorado College admits a select group of students, even if their grades aren’t exceptional. While this may seem like a sign of relaxed standards, these lucky applicants are fast-tracked through the admissions process because of their special statuses, such as being recruited athletes or children of major donors. For the vast majority of Colorado College applicants, maintaining strong grades and test scores remains crucial for improving admission chances.

How Ivy Coach Can Gauge Your Child’s Chances at Colorado College

If you’re interested in determining whether Colorado College is within reach for your child, an Ivy Coach Strategy Session is a great place to start. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of earning admission to Colorado College, but you’ll also receive a strategy for optimizing their admission to the best school within their reach. To learn more about Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch with an outline of our services.