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Colorado College vs Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Colorado College is a private college in Colorado Springs, CO. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is a private for-profit college in Lakewood, CO. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design about 100%, making Colorado College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $32,363 a year at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design after aid, and about $33,375 at Colorado College. About 87% of students graduate at Colorado College, compared with 34% at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Ten years after enrolling, Colorado College alumni earn a median of about $65,222, against $42,958 for Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.

Colorado College

Colorado Springs, CO · Private

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Lakewood, CO · Private (for-profit)
At a glance
Type
Private
Private (for-profit)
Location
Colorado Springs, CO
Lakewood, CO
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
2,014
2,050
Acceptance rate
18%
100%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.44–4
3.13–3.63
SAT (middle 50%)
1230–1460
910–1150
ACT (middle 50%)
29–33
19–23
Test policy
Test optional
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$33,375
$32,363
Full cost / yr
$86,921
$37,505
In-state tuition
$70,734
$20,190
Out-of-state tuition
$70,734
$20,190
Application fee
$0
$50
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$9,217
$29,847
$30k - $48k
$15,477
$29,351
$48k - $75k
$12,568
$32,387
$75k - $110k
$24,129
$36,040
Over $110k
$44,141
$36,201
Outcomes
Graduation rate
87%
34%
Freshman retention
94%
54%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$47,611
$30,280
Median earnings (10 yr)
$65,222
$42,958
Median debt at graduation
$18,257
$31,000
Student body
Pell grant recipients
14%
48%
First-generation students
18%
33%
International students
5%
0%
Deadlines
Early decision
Nov 1
Not reported
Early action
Nov 1
Not reported
Regular decision
Jan 15
Rolling

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is Colorado College or Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design harder to get into?
Colorado College is harder to get into. It admits about 18% of applicants, compared with 100% at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, Colorado College or Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is cheaper on average. Students pay about $32,363 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $33,375 at Colorado College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at Colorado College and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?
Before aid, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design costs about $37,505 a year and Colorado College about $86,921. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Colorado College or Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?
Colorado College. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,217 there, against about $29,847 at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, Colorado College or Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design?
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is the larger of the two, with about 2,050 undergraduates against 2,014 at Colorado College.
Does Colorado College or Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design have a better graduation rate?
Colorado College has the higher graduation rate, at about 87% against 34% at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design.
Do graduates of Colorado College or Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design earn more?
Colorado College alumni earn more on average: a median of about $65,222 ten years after enrolling, against about $42,958 for Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do Colorado College and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design require SAT or ACT scores?
Colorado College is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
What SAT scores do Colorado College and Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design look for?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1230–1460 at Colorado College and 910–1150 at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.

Related comparisons

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