Colorado College vs Trinity College

Colorado College and Trinity College, both esteemed liberal arts institutions, offer distinct educational experiences. Colorado College stands out with its block plan, where students focus on one course at a time, while Trinity College follows a traditional semester system. Colorado College boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it more accessible, while Trinity College has a slightly higher graduation rate. Both colleges offer a diverse range of majors, with Colorado College excelling in natural sciences and Trinity College excelling in social sciences and humanities. Explore the detailed comparison table to discover more about these institutions' unique characteristics, including student body demographics, financial aid opportunities, and notable alumni, to determine which college best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
Colorado College logo

Colorado College

Trinity College logo

Trinity College

Overview

Location Colorado Springs, Colorado Hartford, Connecticut
Campus setting City: Large City: Midsize
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Semester Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 96.0% 91.0%
Common app member Yes Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 14.3% 37.7%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $65

Graduate: $75
SAT range N/A 1333 - 1480
ACT range N/A 29 - 33
Students submitting SAT score 11.0%
Students submitting ACT score 5.0%
Total number of applicants 10,975 5,603
Total number of admissions given out 1,564 2,115
Admitted students who chose to enroll 620 523
Yield rate 39.6% 24.7%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Not required Not required
Recommendation letters Required Required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $79,562 $79,770
Average net price $30,200 $29,789
Tuition $61,596 $58,610
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $8,052

Meal plan: $5,616
Room/dormitory: $10,350

Meal plan: $5,550
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

57.0%
Average amount $48,666
66.0%
Average amount $46,858
Students receiving federal student loan 26.0%
Average amount $5,010
48.0%
Average amount $4,756
Students taking out private loans 1.0%
Average amount $26,825
7.0%
Average amount $15,135

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 2,241
Men 43.5% Women 56.5%
2,159
Men 50.8% Women 49.2%
Graduate students 25
Men 20.0% Women 80.0%
31
Men 74.2% Women 25.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Low
Low
Out-of-state students N/A 82.8%
International students 6.6% 12.6%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Midsize
Dormitory capacity 1,745 1,999
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A Mississippi Connecticut New York New Jersey Illinois

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Physical Science
  • Social Sciences
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Psychology
  • Natural Resources and Conservation
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures
  • Social Sciences
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 9:1 9:1
Institutional accreditation Higher Learning Commission New England Commission on Higher Education

Outcome

Graduation rate 85.7% 85.2%
Dropout rate 2.2% 6.1%
Transferred out 11.5% 8.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,092
  • Year 2: $46,087
  • Year 3: $59,954
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $24,396
  • Year 2: $20,482
  • Year 3: $29,045
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $21,826
  • Year 2: $20,140
  • Year 3: $16,137
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $31,555
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $21,508
  • Year 3: N/A
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $24,472
  • Year 2: $37,568
  • Year 3: N/A
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $25,194
  • Year 3: N/A
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $57,856
  • Year 2: $42,235
  • Year 3: $63,453
Area Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $36,115
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Area Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $45,827
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $68,750
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
English Language and Literature, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $41,078
  • Year 2: $43,128
  • Year 3: N/A
Biology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $35,376
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Neurobiology and Neurosciences (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $37,188
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $44,657
  • Year 2: N/A
  • Year 3: N/A
Psychology, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $32,400
  • Year 2: $43,798
  • Year 3: N/A
Public Policy Analysis (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $50,564
  • Year 2: $47,260
  • Year 3: N/A

Frequently Asked Questions


  • What are the main differences in academic structure between Colorado College and Trinity College?

    Colorado College operates on a unique Block Plan, where students take one course at a time for 3.5 weeks. This allows for deep immersion in a single subject. Trinity College follows a more traditional semester-based system, with students typically taking four or five courses simultaneously over a longer period. This provides a broader exposure to different subjects at once.

  • How do the campus environments compare?

    Colorado College, located in Colorado Springs, offers a setting close to the Rocky Mountains, appealing to students who enjoy outdoor activities. Trinity College, situated in Hartford, Connecticut, provides a more urban environment with access to city amenities and internships in a state capital.

  • What are the typical class sizes at Colorado College and Trinity College?

    Both Colorado College and Trinity College pride themselves on small class sizes. Colorado College has an average class size of around 16 students, while Trinity College's average is around 18. This allows for significant interaction with professors at both institutions.

  • How do the student bodies differ in size?

    Colorado College is slightly smaller, with an undergraduate enrollment of around 2,300 students. Trinity College has a similar undergraduate enrollment of approximately 2,200 students, making both colleges relatively small liberal arts institutions.

  • What are the strengths of each college in terms of academic programs?

    Colorado College is particularly strong in environmental science, geology, and creative writing, leveraging its proximity to the Rocky Mountains and its unique Block Plan. Trinity College excels in political science, economics, and international studies, benefiting from its location in Hartford and its strong ties to government and business.

  • What is the cost of attendance like at Colorado College and Trinity College?

    Both Colorado College and Trinity College are private liberal arts colleges, and their costs of attendance are comparable. Tuition, fees, and room and board typically fall within a similar range. It's best to check each college's website for the most up-to-date figures and information on financial aid opportunities.

  • What kind of student is likely to thrive at Colorado College versus Trinity College?

    A student who enjoys focused, intensive learning and outdoor adventures might prefer Colorado College. A student who prefers a more traditional academic schedule, an urban setting, and strong programs in government and economics might find Trinity College a better fit.

  • What are the opportunities for study abroad at each college?

    Both Colorado College and Trinity College offer extensive study abroad programs. Colorado College has programs in various locations, often tailored to the Block Plan. Trinity College also has a wide range of options, including its own programs in Rome and Vienna, providing students with diverse international experiences.

  • How do the career services compare at Colorado College and Trinity College?

    Both colleges offer comprehensive career services, including advising, internships, and networking opportunities. Trinity College's location in Hartford provides access to internships in government and business, while Colorado College leverages its alumni network and location for opportunities in environmental fields and the arts.

  • What is the social scene like at each college?

    Colorado College's social scene is often centered around outdoor activities and campus events, fostered by the close-knit community created by the Block Plan. Trinity College offers a mix of on-campus activities and access to the social and cultural opportunities of Hartford. Both colleges have active student organizations and a vibrant campus life.

Compare Similar Colleges

The list of suggested college comparisons provided below is generated automatically by our system, utilizing statistics gathered from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and various online sources. If you don't find the colleges you wish to compare, please visit our comparison page. There, you can search for the specific colleges and initiate your comparison.
Colorado College Colorado College vs Prescott College Prescott College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Harvey Mudd College Harvey Mudd College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Occidental College Occidental College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Pomona College Pomona College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Scripps College Scripps College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Naropa University Naropa University
Colorado College Colorado College vs Connecticut College Connecticut College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Trinity College Trinity College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Spelman College Spelman College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Brigham Young University-Idaho Brigham Young University-Idaho
Colorado College Colorado College vs Knox College Knox College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Principia College Principia College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Wheaton College Wheaton College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Grinnell College Grinnell College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Luther College Luther College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Berea College Berea College
Colorado College Colorado College vs St. Mary's College of Maryland St. Mary's College of Maryland
Colorado College Colorado College vs Williams College Williams College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Hillsdale College Hillsdale College
Colorado College Colorado College vs St Olaf College St Olaf College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Millsaps College Millsaps College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Bard College Bard College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Hobart William Smith Colleges Hobart William Smith Colleges
Colorado College Colorado College vs Skidmore College Skidmore College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Union College Union College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Vassar College Vassar College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Denison University Denison University
Colorado College Colorado College vs Lewis & Clark College Lewis & Clark College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Reed College Reed College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Franklin and Marshall College Franklin and Marshall College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Swarthmore College Swarthmore College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Rhodes College Rhodes College
Colorado College Colorado College vs Trinity University Trinity University
Colorado College Colorado College vs Bennington College Bennington College
Colorado College Colorado College vs University of Richmond University of Richmond
Colorado College Colorado College vs St. John's College St. John's College
Trinity College Trinity College vs University of California-Berkeley University of California-Berkeley
Trinity College Trinity College vs Occidental College Occidental College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Pitzer College Pitzer College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Point Loma Nazarene University Point Loma Nazarene University
Trinity College Trinity College vs Pomona College Pomona College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Connecticut College Connecticut College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Spelman College Spelman College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Principia College Principia College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins University
Trinity College Trinity College vs Washington College Washington College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Harvard University Harvard University
Trinity College Trinity College vs Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Trinity College Trinity College vs Stonehill College Stonehill College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Wheaton College (Massachusetts)
Trinity College Trinity College vs Hillsdale College Hillsdale College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Dartmouth College Dartmouth College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Cornell University Cornell University
Trinity College Trinity College vs St Lawrence University St Lawrence University
Trinity College Trinity College vs Davidson College Davidson College
Trinity College Trinity College vs University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Trinity College Trinity College vs Lewis & Clark College Lewis & Clark College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Bucknell University Bucknell University
Trinity College Trinity College vs Swarthmore College Swarthmore College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Brown University Brown University
Trinity College Trinity College vs Furman University Furman University
Trinity College Trinity College vs Rhodes College Rhodes College
Trinity College Trinity College vs Trinity University Trinity University
Trinity College Trinity College vs University of Richmond University of Richmond
Trinity College Trinity College vs University of Virginia-Main Campus University of Virginia-Main Campus
Trinity College Trinity College vs Stanford University Stanford University