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Colorado College
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Colorado College - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.24

Academics

A-
Where does this grade come from?View all Academics rankingsReview this school to add your opinion

Comparable Schools' Academics Grades:

Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 10:1
Full-Time Student Population 1,995
Part-Time Student Population 37
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 167
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 36
Total FT Faculty 167
Faculty with Terminal Degree 90%
Average Faculty Salary $90,056
Full-Time Retention Rate 94%
Graduation Rate 87%
Programs/Majors Offered 44
Average Course Load 4 courses
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? Yes
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 students: 63%
  • 20 to 49 students: 37%
  • 50 or more students: 0%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Colorado College has been called the “Harvard of the West," and whether or not it merits this prestigious nickname, there's no doubt that the school has created a healthy reputation for the quality of its professors and its student body.

One of CC’s most important characteristics is its size. It’s one of the few small liberal arts colleges in the region, and its maximum class size of 25 students per professor helps to foster an intimate atmosphere unheard of in larger universities. Professors at CC are quick to befriend students, inviting them to engage in conversation and debate, both in and out of the classroom. Many professors take a personal interest in their students, although just like at any other school, there is the occasional aloof professor. Despite being friendly, professors know their material and demand a lot from their students.

Many students spend six to eight hours per night on homework and may still go to class feeling unprepared. Part of this burden is a product of the Block Plan: one day of class at CC often covers the same as a whole week at a semester school. But there is not a competitive atmosphere around grades at CC, and the number of hours people spend studying really depends on their personal priorities. If nothing else, the Block Plan really forces students to prioritize and become better at managing their time.

Colorado College has strong programs in many departments, including the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Science majors sometimes complain that students in other areas get off easy with their lighter schedule, free of afternoon labs. But non-science students certainly don’t breeze through their studies. Most professors expect that their students prepare thoroughly, not only for tests, but also for strong participation in class every day. Overall, it can be said that CC has truly reached a level of academic excellence attained by few schools around the nation.

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Colorado College Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Colorado College

camby52

'15

Sociology

5.0
A+

The Block Plan!

I chose Colorado College based on its unique academic plan (although culturally and socially it is unique and wonderful in many unexpected ways). With the Block Plan, students take one class at a time for three and a half weeks. The rest of the month then is dedicated to a break from all the studying, allowing students to discover the nearby natural wonders, like Garden of the Gods and the Incline on Pike's Peak. Taking one class at a time allows students and professors to be fully immersed in the topic, allows for more travel, and does not force students to prioritize certain classes over others.

The class sizes are small, all under twenty-five, and so the professor to student ratio is incredibly small. Thus far, I have called each of my professor by his or her first name, emailed them constantly with always speedy responses, and have conversed with each of them personally.

All classes involve so much interactive discussion; everyday I feel like I'm learning not only from my professor but from the other students too.

Not many schools operate on the Block Plan, but I wouldn't trade it for any other way to learn.

Jan 09, 2012

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Academics at Colorado College

chronus719

'12

Asian Studies

4.2
A-

Good for Some Things

I think the most valuable thing I learned at CC is how to learn quickly. Diving into a block and taking in so much information really opens your mind to how much you can really accomplish. On the other side of this coin, however, I feel that some classes simply aren't suited to the block plan. There are some classes (primarily science classes) that try to cram in too much information into 3 1/2 weeks, and with other classes, such as language classes, it's hard to have retention of the information you learned because you spent such a short amount of time going over so much. Overall, I would say I've had a great quality of education at CC despite some of the shortcomings of the block plan.

Dec 07, 2011

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Academics at Colorado College

anjali1607

'12

Biology

5.0
A+

Acacemics Are Great

The professors here are very approachable and incredibly smart. Most of them will go above and beyond to help you if you're struggling with something. The sciences at CC are very strong. I don't know much about the other departments, but I've heard similar things about those departments from friends.

Oct 13, 2010

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: Yes
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 3–5: 5 for English, 5 for Environmental Science, 3–5 for German
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5
Degrees Awarded
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
Most Popular Majors
  • Biology and Biological Sciences: 4%
  • Economics and Econometrics: 4%
  • International Economics: 3%
  • Political Science and Government, General: 3%
Graduation Requirements
  • Foreign languages
  • Humanities
  • Sciences (biological and physical)
  • Social science
Special Study Options
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Other Academic Offerings
  • Cooperative 3/2 program
  • Double major
  • English as a Second Language (ESL)
  • Independent study
  • Internships
  • Liberal arts/career combination
  • Student-designed major
Best Places to Study
  • The Barnes "Fishbowl"
  • The Lincoln Room at Tutt Library
  • Loomis dorm lounge
  • The quad
Did You Know?

Colorado College is one of only seven colleges in the United States to utilize the Block Plan. On the Block Plan, students take only one class at a time for three and a half weeks. In between blocks, students have four-day vacation periods called block breaks. The school believes students benefit from being able to immerse themselves in a subject rather than having to spread effort and brain space over four or five different classes at the same time.

The average class size at Colorado College is about 10 to 15 students.

CC allows students unsatisfied with the selection of majors at the school to create their own major in Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). Students must create a list of courses for their major and write a compelling argument of their vision. The southwest studies major originated as an LAS proposed by a student.

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at CC

Name: Cobun Keegan

Hometown: Paonia, CO

Major: Psychology

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