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Adams State University

#1455 in US ranking Alamosa, CO
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$25,204
Tuition & fees
$12,751
Avg. aid
$11,501
Receiving aid
95%

Admissions

Avg. SAT
1030
Avg. ACT
21

Outcomes

Graduation rate
39%
Median salary
$40,409
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Adams State University?

Adams State University is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole and is an important condition for participation in federal student aid programs.

Institutional accreditation does not mean that every degree has a separate professional accreditation or automatically meets licensing rules in every state. Applicants considering nursing, teaching, counseling, or another regulated profession should check the current status of the specific program and the requirements of the state where they intend to work. Transfer credit is also decided by the receiving institution; accreditation alone does not guarantee that another college will accept a particular course.

What are the admission requirements at Adams State University?

First-year applicants generally apply to Adams State with evidence of high school completion or an equivalent credential and their academic records. Requirements can differ for transfer, international, graduate, and program-specific applicants, so the appropriate application category matters.

Adams State reports an open-admission policy, but admission to the university should not be confused with entry into a selective major, clinical placement, or licensure track. SAT and ACT scores are not a useful assumption for every applicant: relatively few enrolled first-time students submitted them, with 13% submitting SAT scores and 2% submitting ACT scores in the reported group. Applicants should follow the current admissions instructions to determine whether scores could be considered, whether an essay or recommendation is requested, and which transcript deadlines apply. International applicants should also check current English-proficiency and credential-evaluation requirements.

What are the application fees and waivers at Adams State University?

Applicants should check the fee displayed in Adams State's current application before submitting it. An application charge, if one applies to their applicant category or application method, is separate from tuition, housing charges, and any later enrollment payment.

Students for whom a fee would be a barrier should ask undergraduate admissions about waiver eligibility and the request process before submitting a paid application. Graduate and international applicants should check their own application instructions rather than assuming that an undergraduate fee or waiver policy applies to them.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Adams State University?

Students interested in ROTC should verify a current participation arrangement directly with Adams State and the relevant Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC program before making enrollment plans. An off-campus cross-enrollment opportunity, if available, would not be the same as an ROTC unit based at Adams State.

That distinction affects travel to training, course registration, and scheduling alongside a degree program. ROTC scholarship eligibility and any subsequent service obligation depend on the branch and the student's contract; joining an introductory ROTC course does not necessarily mean receiving a scholarship or commissioning.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Adams State University?

Adams State generally considers college credit from other accredited institutions and admits transfer students for fall, spring, and summer entry. Transfer admission and the application of prior coursework toward a particular degree are separate decisions.

Transfer applicants should submit official transcripts from every college attended and review the current admissions instructions for any high school record or minimum academic-standing requirement. Adams State also recognizes some alternative credit pathways, including Advanced Placement, CLEP, and credit evaluated under American Council on Education recommendations. The number of credits accepted may differ from the number that satisfies a major or graduation requirement.

Before committing to a program, a transfer student can request an official credit evaluation and a degree plan showing remaining general education, major, residency, and upper-division requirements. This is particularly important for education, nursing, and other programs with sequenced courses or separate admission steps.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Adams State University?

Students considering study abroad should ask Adams State how an overseas course or program would be approved for their degree. Availability, destinations, and whether an opportunity is university-led or run by an outside provider can change from year to year.

Academic approval should come before paying a program deposit: a course taken abroad may transfer as elective credit without satisfying a specific major requirement. Students using aid should also confirm whether their proposed program is eligible, how enrollment will be documented, and whether scholarships or additional travel costs change their budget. Applicants in tightly sequenced majors should plan the timing with an academic adviser.

Adams State University Admissions Factors

Avg. SAT
1030
Avg. ACT
21

How to Apply to Adams State University

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Adams State University First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 195
Out-of-state: 84
International: 5

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 303
Transfer: 140

Adams State University Admission Requirements

Median composite SAT score

1030

Median composite ACT score

21

Percent of students submitting ACT scores

2%

Percent of students submitting SAT scores

13%

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

Computer required

No

Computer purchase/lease plan is available in the institution

No

Open admission policy

Yes

Dual credit

No

Credit for life experiences

Yes

Advanced placement (AP) credits

Yes

Special learning opportunities

Orientation program

Yes

Disabilities services

No

Off-campus study

Yes

Weekend/evening college

Yes

Student can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization

No

Preparation at another institution required

No

Approved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher

Yes

Adams State University Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.

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