University of Colorado

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Degrees Available at The University of Colorado

The University of Colorado appears in our ranking of the 20 Best Bachelor’s in Creative Writing or Professional Writing Degrees Online. The University of Colorado is ranked nationally at No. 96 by U.S. News and World Report. It offers more than 150 major and minor programs for both undergraduates and graduate students. When it comes to online learning, the university provides access to every degree it offers such as:
  • Bachelor of Arts in English Writing
  • Master of Public Health
  • an MBA
Students also have the option of learning both on campus and online. The University of Colorado is also one of U.S. News and World Report’s best value schools, coming in at No. 137. The university focuses heavily on research and leadership in its degree programs. It also provides more than 400 opportunities annually for studying abroad. For students who want to knock out their bachelor’s and master’s at the same time, 33 degree programs provide just that opportunity.

About the University of Colorado

The university laid the cornerstone of the original Old Main Building on September 20, 1875. Once classes began, there were still five months left before Colorado would be admitted to the Union. The State Legislature amended the state’s constitution and provided the funds for three universities, one of which was the University of Colorado. As might be expected of a university in Colorado, the school has 20 national championships in skiing. The university also has other national championships in other sports to its credit, including one in American football. Academically, the school’s physics and engineering departments are ranked in the Top 10 nationally.

University of Colorado Accreditation Details

The University of Colorado is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission. Many of its individual departments have also earned their own separate accreditations. They are:
  • Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
  • American Psychological Association
  • Colorado Department of Higher Education
  • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Inc.
  • Commission on English Language Program Accreditation
  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
  • American Bar Association
  • American Association of Law Schools
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology of the American Speech Language Hearing Association
  • American Association of Museums
  • Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care
  • American Psychological Association
  • Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • American Physical Therapy Association
  • Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education

University of Colorado Application Requirements

The University of Colorado considers many criteria when selecting applicants for admission, but the No. 1 criterion is a rigorous high-school curriculum with which students have achieved a stellar GPA. Even with such a high-school GPA, scores of D and F might adversely affect a student’s possibility of admission. Advanced Placement and Honors courses are of particular interest. The university also requires incoming freshmen to take the SAT, ACT, or both. If a student takes either of these tests multiple times, the university uses the highest score on each subsection of either test. This is a conglomerate result that shows each student in the best possible light. Incoming students must also submit letters of recommendation and complete an essay or essays, depending on the student’s situation. Of course, all high-school transcripts must be sent by the school in question. Self-submitted transcripts will not be accepted. Prospective graduate students must have earned a four-year undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited university or have completed equivalent work. Students who are relying on equivalent work are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Graduate applicants must have at least a 2.75 GPA in their undergraduate work to apply. The score requirement is 3.00 if the person is applying to the College of Engineering and Applied Science. There are exceptions, however. If students are below either threshold, they still might qualify if they have completed nine or more graduate credit hours with at least a 3.25 GPA. Also required are:
  • letters of recommendation
  • essays
  • personal statements
Students should peruse the website to find out more.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The undergraduate tuition at the University of Colorado varies by program of study. Assuming 19 meals, a roommate, and a community bathroom in the residence hall, the annual costs for Colorado residents are:
  • Business: $34,054
  • Engineering: $32,206
  • Music: $29,110
  • Media, Communication, and Information: $30,478
  • Arts and Sciences and all other degree programs not already listed: $28,750
Nonresidents and international students pay roughly double the rate for residents. There are certain fees that are not included. If the student does not have health insurance, there is an additional cost of $3,990 annually. Students may also choose apartment living with a roommate or single rooms. Each has a higher cost than a standard dorm room with a roommate. There are 16 different levels of graduate tuition for residents and 16 more for nonresidents and international students Financial aid is available for all students regardless of level or residence. Students should begin with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA covers all aspects of a student’s financial situation and provides the government and the university with the  information upon which to base a decision. Students may also apply for grants and scholarships either through the university itself or from private entities. They may also work as part of a work-study program or outside the realm of the university as they wish. International students who plan to work should ensure they have all requisite visas and work permits in place before applying for employment or even before applying to the university. In addition to funds that do not need to be paid back, students may also apply for loans from either the government or private lenders. Many scholarships and grants have stringent academic standards to maintain the awards. If a student does not maintain the requisite standards, it is possible that any awards will be converted to Stafford loans, which must be repaid. The University of Colorado is a leading university in many fields. It provides its students with  superb education and opportunities for both personal growth and the cultivation of wisdom.

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