Adams State University Acceptance Rate & Tuition (2026)
Adams State University is a public research university in Alamosa, Colorado, enrolling about 1,250 students. Adams State University awards degrees and certificates tracked in federal College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting. Published tuition for full-time study is about $9,824 per year before aid; net price varies by family income. Median earnings about ten years after entry reach about $44,372 among students who received federal aid.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $9,824
- 2024 Average Net Price: $12,980 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: N/A Moderate Selectivity
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 1,250 73.2% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 39.42%
- Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
- First-Generation Students: 41.5%
- Tuition trend: In-state tuition increase of 0.0% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Net price trend: Average net price increase of 10.4% from 2022 to 2023 (College Scorecard).
- Full-Time Faculty: 50.4%
- Average ACT Score: 21
- Undergraduate Enrollment: 2,185
- Room & Board: $9,820 annual estimate
Adams State University: what the data shows
Common questions about Adams State University, answered from College Scorecard and IPEDS in this repository.
Where is Adams State University?
Adams State University is located in Alamosa, CO (ZIP 81101).
NCES locale classification: Town remote.
Is Adams State University public or private?
Adams State University is a Public institution.
How much does Adams State University cost?
Published tuition: $9,824 in-state, $21,944 out-of-state.
Average net price after aid: $12,980.
| Family income band | Avg. net price |
|---|---|
| Family income $0–$30,000 | $9,947 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,392 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $11,921 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $15,787 |
| $110,001+ | $20,274 |
Sticker tuition × four years (estimate, no room/board): $39,296.
How hard is it to get into Adams State University?
Among enrollees who submitted scores: midpoint ACT 21.
Scorecard does not publish admitted-student GPA for most institutions.
How big is Adams State University?
Total enrollment: 1,250 students.
Undergraduate enrollment: 2,185 students.
Graduate enrollment: 1,296 students.
About 73% enroll full-time in our extract.
What is the graduation rate at Adams State University?
150%-time completion rate: 39.42%.
First-year retention: 50.7%.
What do graduates of Adams State University earn?
Median earnings: $38,338 six years after entry; $44,372 ten years after entry (College Scorecard).
How much debt do students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers: $19,500.
37.80% of students receive Pell grants.
What is Adams State University known for?
Largest IPEDS program completions at this institution:
- Counseling Psychology (443 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies (114 completions)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other (98 completions)
- Business/Commerce, General (80 completions)
- Business Administration and Management, General (39 completions)
- Teacher Education, Multiple Levels (33 completions)
- Exercise Science and Kinesiology (27 completions)
- Biology/Biological Sciences, General (17 completions)
- Sports Studies (17 completions)
- Sociology, General (15 completions)
See ROI & Programs for more.
Is Adams State University a good school?
We do not score schools on opinion. Federal data in our extract show completion rate 39.42%; median earnings $44,372 at 10 years; net price $12,980. Compare these figures to your cost, aid, and career goals.
Tuition & Cost
Tuition Costs
$9,824
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at Adams State University was $9,824.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$12,980
2024 Value
In 2024 Adams State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $12,980.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$51,920 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$12,980 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$39,296 4-Year In-State Tuition
$87,776 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
$9,820 Room & Board (annual, on-campus estimate)
$2,920 Books & Supplies (annual estimate)
$22,564 Estimated Annual Sticker (tuition + room/board + books)
$90,256 Estimated 4-Year Sticker (before aid)
4-year total cost breakdown for Adams State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
37.80% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
33.35% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
0.00%
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at Adams State University was 0.00%.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Tuition tracker
Published tuition and average net price by reporting year come from the College Scorecard institution file. Values are not adjusted for inflation; missing cells mean the field was not reported or was suppressed for Adams State University in that year.
Reporting years in the table below: 2013–2023 (Scorecard labels refer to the institutional submission cycle).
| Year | In-state tuition & fees | Out-of-state tuition & fees | Average net price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | $7,449 | $18,081 | $14,319 |
| 2014 | $8,014 | $18,814 | $15,868 |
| 2015 | $8,574 | $19,086 | $16,212 |
| 2016 | $9,153 | $20,169 | $14,275 |
| 2017 | $9,440 | $20,456 | $13,742 |
| 2018 | $9,440 | $20,456 | $14,229 |
| 2019 | $9,440 | $20,864 | $14,064 |
| 2020 | $9,560 | $21,296 | $13,388 |
| 2021 | $9,680 | $17,933 | $14,305 |
| 2022 | $9,776 | $21,848 | $12,836 |
| 2023 | $9,776 | $21,848 | $14,173 |
Sticker tuition and net price over time
Where the institution reported separate in-state and out-of-state tuition, both appear. Gaps mean the value was not reported for that year.
College Scorecard reporting-year fields (not inflation-adjusted).
Net price by family income
Brackets follow Scorecard definitions for the series shown (public vs private institution).
Latest income-band net prices available in the processed extract.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate data is not available for this institution.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
ACT Average: 21
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment & Student Demographics
Adams State University reported total enrollment of about 1,250 students in the latest College Scorecard extract. The student body is about 57% male and 43% female. Enrollment by race and ethnicity includes White (41.0%), Hispanic or Latino (33.4%), and Black or African American (9.1%). About 37.80% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Roughly 41.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
73.2% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at Adams State University in 2024 is 1,250 students.
Undergraduate enrollment is about 2,185 students. Graduate enrollment is about 1,296 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
50.7%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Enrollment by Race & Ethnicity
The largest enrollment share in our College Scorecard extract is White at 41.0%.
Shares are for total enrollment (undergraduate and graduate combined when reported).
College Scorecard student demographics.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
19.66% 100% Completion Time
39.42% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 19.66% of students graduating from Adams State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
Completions by Sex (Top Programs)
- Counseling Psychology: 19% male / 81% female
- Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 42% male / 58% female
- Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other: 61% male / 39% female
IPEDS completions by sex for the five largest programs (aggregate CIPs excluded).
Completions by Race & Ethnicity
Combined IPEDS award counts across reported programs; largest group: White.
Summed across program completion records in our extract.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for Adams State University.
Return on Investment
$19,500 Median Student Debt
$44,372 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
43.95% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
754.62% Return on Investment
4.4 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for Adams State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 largest programs by IPEDS completions (of 31 reported codes; aggregate/unknown CIP buckets excluded).
1. Counseling Psychology: 443 completions
2. Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies: 114 completions
3. Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other: 98 completions
4. Business/Commerce, General: 80 completions
5. Business Administration and Management, General: 39 completions
6. Teacher Education, Multiple Levels: 33 completions
7. Exercise Science and Kinesiology: 27 completions
8. Biology/Biological Sciences, General: 17 completions
9. Sports Studies: 17 completions
Most popular programs at Adams State University.
Employment Outcomes
Employment outcome data is not available for this institution.
Earnings outcomes for Adams State University graduates.
Operations
Instructional staffing and expenditure indicators for Adams State University from College Scorecard (not a full IPEDS finance statement).
Instructional Resources
- Full-time faculty share: 50.4%
- Average faculty salary (Scorecard): $7,123
- Instructional expenditure per FTE: $9,349
Endowment and detailed non-instructional staff counts require IPEDS Finance/HR surveys and are not in this extract.
Scorecard instructional metrics where reported.
About
Adams State University is a public institution located in Alamosa, CO, classified as Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs. In the latest IPEDS completions in our extract, the largest programs by awards were Counseling Psychology, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, Other. Enrollment is approximately 1,250 students. Student body composition includes White (41.0%), Hispanic or Latino (33.4%), Black or African American (9.1%). Average ACT scores for admitted students are 21. The 150%-time completion rate is 39.42%. Approximately 37.80% of students receive Pell Grants. About 41.5% of students are first-generation college students.
Institution Type
Public
Carnegie Classification: Master's Colleges and Universities: Medium Programs
Location
Alamosa, CO 81101
Region: Rocky Mountains
Insights and Analysis
Graduation Rate Considerations: The 39.42% graduation rate at Adams State University falls below the national average. Prospective students should carefully consider factors such as academic preparation, support services, and career outcomes when evaluating this institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Adams State University located?
Adams State University is located in Alamosa, CO.
How much does Adams State University cost?
Reported tuition is $9,824 and average net price is $12,980 in the latest College Scorecard data. On-campus room and board is estimated at $9,820 annually.
What is the student body demographics at Adams State University?
Adams State University reports undergraduate enrollment of about 2,185 students, White (41.0%), Hispanic or Latino (33.4%) in federal College Scorecard data.
How many first-generation students attend Adams State University?
About 41.5% of students at Adams State University are first-generation college students.
What test scores do students need for Adams State University?
Among enrolled students who submitted scores, Adams State University reports midpoint ACT about 21.
What do graduates of Adams State University earn?
Median earnings are $38,338 six years after entry and $44,372 ten years after entry.
What is the graduation rate at Adams State University?
The 150%-time completion rate is 39.4% for the cohort reported to the College Scorecard.
How much debt do Adams State University students have?
Median federal loan debt among completers is $19,500.
Is Adams State University public or private?
Adams State University is a public institution located in Alamosa, CO.
Is Adams State University an HBCU?
No. Adams State University is not flagged as an HBCU in the IPEDS institutional directory.
Is Adams State University a tribal college?
No. Adams State University is not flagged as a tribal college in IPEDS.
Is Adams State University a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI)?
By the common federal eligibility proxy used here (≥25% Hispanic enrollment in College Scorecard), yes—Adams State University reports 33.4% Hispanic enrollment share.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
- Related geography & profiles
- Colorado college costs
- Colorado colleges by ROI
- Rocky Mountains regional profile
- All state profiles
- Regional profiles
- National benchmarks
- School directory
- All schools in Colorado
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.