Research Note: Colorado College
Colorado College Comprehensive Assessment Report
University Section
Colorado College stands as a distinguished liberal arts institution founded in 1874 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the base of Pikes Peak. The college has established itself as a nationally selective institution with a current enrollment of approximately 2,203 students, maintaining its commitment to intimate, intensive education through its distinctive Block Plan. Under this unique academic calendar, students take one course at a time for 3.5-week blocks, allowing for deep immersion in subject matter and fostering close relationships between faculty and students. The college offers 42 majors and over 30 minors across diverse disciplines, with popular programs in economics, political science, biology, and sociology. Colorado College has consistently ranked among the top liberal arts colleges nationally, currently holding the #29 position in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 National Liberal Arts Colleges rankings.
The institution's commitment to academic excellence is reflected in its highly selective admissions process, accepting only 20% of applicants for the Class of 2026 from a record 11,026 applications. The student body represents significant geographic diversity, with students from 47 states and 15 countries, though the college faces ongoing challenges in economic diversity with only 16% of students receiving Pell Grants. Colorado College maintains a remarkably low student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1 or 10:1 (depending on the source), with 69% of classes having fewer than 20 students and no classes exceeding 40 students. The college's urban setting in Colorado Springs provides unique opportunities for internships, outdoor recreation, and community engagement, while its residential campus requirement for underclassmen fosters a vibrant campus community. Notable alumni include Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, Rhodes Scholars, Olympic athletes, and leaders across various fields, demonstrating the institution's long-standing impact on society.
Endowment Section
Colorado College's endowment has achieved remarkable growth, reaching $1.033 billion in market value as of June 30, 2024, marking the institution's entry into the exclusive group of colleges with billion-dollar endowments. The endowment generated a strong 14% net annual return for fiscal year 2024, significantly outperforming many peer institutions and demonstrating effective investment management strategies. Over longer time horizons, the endowment has maintained consistent performance with an average return of 8.8% over five years and 7.9% over ten years, comparing favorably to a 70% equity/30% fixed income benchmark. The endowment provided a crucial $42.6 million payout to the college's operations in 2024, representing approximately 19% of the annual budget when combined with annual operating gifts. This level of endowment support provides significant financial stability and enables the college to maintain its commitment to academic excellence while managing tuition pressures.
The endowment's management follows best practices in institutional investment, overseen by the Colorado College Board of Trustees Committee on Investments in accordance with the Unified Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act. The college maintains a disciplined spending policy of 5% of the 12-quarter trailing average market value, with annual changes capped at 5% increases and 1% decreases to ensure intergenerational equity. The endowment's history traces back to 1890 when the college established its first permanent fund with $25,000, demonstrating over 130 years of careful stewardship and donor generosity. Looking forward, the college faces new challenges including potential federal excise taxes on endowment income, with proposals ranging from the current 1.4% to as high as 21%, which could significantly impact the endowment's ability to support operations. Despite these challenges, the endowment's strong performance and professional management position Colorado College well for continued financial sustainability and support of its educational mission.
Source: Fourester Research
Scorecard Section
1. Teaching Quality (Score: 16/20)
Colorado College excels in teaching quality metrics, earning 16 out of 20 possible points in this category. The institution's student-faculty ratio of 9:1 or 10:1 significantly exceeds the benchmark of excellence (<10:1), earning the full 5 points for this metric. With 69% of classes having fewer than 20 students, the college surpasses the 50% target benchmark, though specific data on the exact percentage wasn't available for precise scoring. The Block Plan's intensive one-course-at-a-time structure fosters exceptional student-faculty interaction and deep learning experiences, contributing to high student satisfaction scores. Faculty excellence is demonstrated through 86% full-time faculty employment, far exceeding the national average of 48.6%, and minimal reliance on adjunct professors at only 14% compared to the national average of 51.4%. The college's commitment to undergraduate teaching is further evidenced by professors teaching only one block at a time, allowing for complete focus on their students.
The institution's retention rate of 91% for full-time undergraduates significantly exceeds peer institutions' average of 72%, indicating strong student satisfaction with the educational experience. Colorado College's innovative Block Plan represents a distinctive pedagogical approach that enables immersive learning experiences, including extended field research, laboratory work, and off-campus study opportunities. Faculty are encouraged to form relationships with students outside the classroom, creating a holistic educational environment that extends beyond traditional academic boundaries. The college's investment in teaching infrastructure, including the recently renovated Tutt Library (the largest carbon-neutral academic library in the United States) and the Edith Kinney Gaylord Cornerstone Arts Center, provides state-of-the-art facilities supporting innovative teaching methods. While comprehensive student satisfaction survey data wasn't available, the high retention rates and selective admissions suggest strong student approval of the teaching quality.
2. Research Excellence (Score: 12/20)
Colorado College's research profile reflects its liberal arts mission, earning 12 out of 20 points in this category. While specific citation metrics and h-index data were not available in the search results, the college's focus on undergraduate research provides valuable opportunities for student engagement in scholarly activities. The institution reports that students have access to research opportunities across all disciplines, though quantitative measures of faculty research productivity were not documented in available sources. The college's liberal arts emphasis means research funding per faculty likely falls below the $200K benchmark typical of research universities, reflecting the different mission and funding structures of liberal arts colleges. Industry collaboration data was similarly unavailable, though the college's location in Colorado Springs provides proximity to military installations, technology companies, and aerospace industries that could offer partnership opportunities. The Charles L. Tutt Library's collection of over 400,000 physical volumes supports research activities, though this is modest compared to larger research institutions.
Faculty at Colorado College balance teaching and research responsibilities, with the Block Plan allowing for dedicated research blocks between teaching assignments. The college's notable alumni include Nobel Prize winners and MacArthur Fellows, suggesting a strong foundation in research training despite the primarily undergraduate focus. Recent initiatives in sustainability research, particularly through the State of the Rockies Project, demonstrate emerging research strengths in environmental studies and regional policy analysis. The college's small size and teaching focus naturally limit large-scale research operations, but the quality of undergraduate research experiences appears strong based on graduate school placement rates. Investment in research infrastructure continues with recent facility upgrades, though the scale remains appropriate for a liberal arts college rather than a research university.
3. Student Outcomes (Score: 11/15)
Colorado College demonstrates strong student outcomes, earning 11 out of 15 possible points in this critical category. The institution's six-year graduation rate of 86% exceeds the 80% benchmark target, with particularly impressive four-year graduation rates of 82% for students completing within normal time. These graduation rates significantly outperform many peer institutions and demonstrate effective student support systems despite the demanding Block Plan schedule. Gender equity in graduation outcomes appears strong, with 90 more women than men receiving degrees in 2022, though specific graduation rate differences by gender were not detailed. The college's 91% first-to-second-year retention rate indicates successful freshman integration and satisfaction with the educational experience. Alumni outcomes include strong graduate school placement, with the institution producing 14 Rhodes Scholars, 31 Fulbright Scholars, and 68 Watson Fellows over its history.
Employment data specific to six-month post-graduation rates was not available in the search results, preventing full scoring on employment success metrics. Similarly, comprehensive earnings premium data comparing Colorado College graduates to high school graduates was not found, though the institution's $34,000 starting salary figure from one source appears relatively modest. The college's alumni network includes successful professionals across diverse fields, from Olympic athletes to corporate executives, suggesting strong long-term career outcomes despite limited quantitative data. The institution's emphasis on experiential learning through the Block Plan, including opportunities for internships and field research, likely contributes to post-graduation success. While specific career services data wasn't available, the college's location provides access to employment opportunities in the growing Colorado Springs metropolitan area.
4. Social Mobility & Equity (Score: 7/15)
Colorado College's performance on social mobility metrics reveals significant challenges, earning only 7 out of 15 possible points in this crucial category. The institution enrolls approximately 16% of students who receive Pell Grants, falling well short of the 30% benchmark target and ranking it among the lower performers nationally for economic diversity. This low Pell enrollment percentage is particularly concerning given Colorado's demographics, where two out of five public school students are considered low-income. The college's Pell graduation rates of 88% for six-year completion show strong support for economically disadvantaged students who do enroll, nearly matching the 86% rate for non-Pell recipients and well within the 5% target gap. U.S. News ranked Colorado College #94 in Top Performers on Social Mobility, indicating mediocre performance relative to peer institutions. The lack of specific data on first-generation student success rates and bottom-to-top quintile mobility rates prevents comprehensive assessment of the institution's impact on economic mobility.
The college's high cost of attendance, with tuition and fees at $67,458, creates substantial barriers for low-income students despite financial aid efforts. Geographic diversity data shows 67% White enrollment, with relatively low representation of historically underrepresented minorities at 11% Hispanic/Latino and 3% Black or African American students. The institution has acknowledged these challenges, with leadership recognizing the need to improve accessibility and economic diversity. Recent initiatives to increase financial aid and support services for low-income students show commitment to improvement, though results remain limited. The contrast with public institutions like CU Denver, which ranks #1 in Colorado for social mobility, highlights the structural challenges faced by expensive private colleges in serving economically diverse populations.
5. Financial Health & Value (Score: 6/10)
Colorado College's financial health presents a mixed picture, earning 6 out of 10 points in this category. The institution's strong endowment of $1.033 billion provides significant financial stability, with the endowment per student ratio likely exceeding $450,000, far surpassing the $50,000 benchmark. The endowment's consistent payout of approximately 5% annually contributes 19% of the operating budget, demonstrating sustainable financial management practices. However, the college's net price for median income families significantly exceeds the $15,000 target benchmark, with total costs approaching $70,000 annually creating affordability challenges. The institution faces emerging financial pressures from potential endowment taxes, which could range from $350,000 to $7 million annually depending on congressional action. Operating margin data and specific Composite Financial Index scores were not available in search results, preventing complete assessment of operational efficiency.
The college's debt-to-earnings ratio data was not found, making it impossible to score the ROI metrics comprehensively. The high sticker price combined with limited economic diversity suggests value proposition challenges for middle-income families. Strong endowment returns of 14% in 2024 and consistent long-term performance averaging 8.8% over five years demonstrate effective investment management. The institution's ability to achieve carbon neutrality while expanding facilities by 10% shows efficient resource utilization and long-term thinking about operational costs. Financial aid programs exist but appear insufficient to achieve economic diversity goals, with only 16% Pell enrollment suggesting gaps in affordability for low-income students.
6-10. Additional Dimensions (Score: 14/20)
Colorado College's performance on additional dimensions shows particular strength in environmental sustainability while revealing gaps in other areas, earning 14 out of 20 total points. The institution achieved an exceptional milestone by becoming carbon neutral in 2020, the first in the Rocky Mountain region and only the eighth in North America to reach this goal. The college reduced on-campus emissions by 75% from the 2008 baseline while expanding its physical footprint by 10%, demonstrating genuine commitment beyond purchasing offsets. Colorado College earned STARS Gold certification from AASHE, placing it among the top sustainability performers nationally. Major initiatives included the net-zero Tutt Library, behavioral change programs achieving 14% reductions in resource use, and significant renewable energy investments. The Office of Sustainability's comprehensive approach integrates academic programs, operations, and community engagement.
Internationalization efforts appear modest, with specific data on international student percentages unavailable in search results, though the student body includes representation from 15 countries. The college offers study abroad opportunities leveraging the Block Plan format, but comprehensive participation rates weren't documented. Innovation and entrepreneurship metrics were largely absent from available data, with no specific information on startup creation, patent activity, or venture funding associated with the institution. Community engagement shows promise through required freshman service trips and regular programs like Sunday soup kitchens, though quantitative metrics on service hours per student weren't available. Digital education quality remains largely unassessed, as the institution maintains its focus on residential, in-person education through the distinctive Block Plan model.
Bottom Line Section
Colorado College is ideally suited for intellectually curious students who thrive in intensive, focused learning environments and value close mentorship relationships with professors, as evidenced by the unique Block Plan structure and exceptional 9:1 student-faculty ratio. The institution particularly appeals to students seeking a rigorous liberal arts education who can afford the high cost of attendance ($67,458) or qualify for substantial financial aid, given that only 16% of students receive Pell Grants and the net price remains prohibitive for many middle-income families. Environmentally conscious students will find an exceptional match, as Colorado College leads nationally in sustainability with its carbon-neutral campus and STARS Gold certification, demonstrating authentic commitment to environmental stewardship. The college best serves students who value outdoor recreation and experiential learning, with its Colorado Springs location providing unparalleled access to hiking, skiing, and field research opportunities in the Rocky Mountains. However, students seeking economic diversity, robust research opportunities at the graduate level, or those requiring extensive financial aid may find better matches at public institutions or universities with stronger social mobility track records and more comprehensive financial support systems.