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Trinidad State College

#1684 in US ranking Trinidad, CO
Type:
Public
Programs:
4 years or more

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Cost

Cost / year
$19,835
Tuition & fees
$4,573
Avg. aid
$9,802
Receiving aid
86%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
55%
Median salary
$43,764
1 yr after graduation

What is the accreditation of Trinidad State College?

Trinidad State College is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional accreditation evaluates the college as a whole; it is different from any additional approval or accreditation that an individual program may need.

Accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and can matter when another college reviews transfer credit. It does not, by itself, guarantee that another institution will accept a particular course. Students entering a licensed profession, especially nursing, should separately check the program's current approval and accreditation and the licensing rules of the state where they intend to work. A program's status can be more specific than the college's institutional status.

What are the admission requirements at Trinidad State College?

Trinidad State has an open-admission policy for general college entry. Applicants ordinarily begin with the college's admission application and provide information about their educational background; degree- or certificate-seeking students should be prepared to document high school completion or an equivalent credential.

Open admission does not mean automatic entry into every program. Nursing and other programs with limited seats, clinical requirements, or prerequisite courses may have separate selection processes. Placement or advising may also determine which math and English courses a student takes first. Applicants should check the requirements for their intended credential rather than assuming that a general college admission decision settles program admission.

Students seeking financial aid, transferring prior coursework, or applying from outside the United States may need additional records. Confirm the current term's application and registration dates before making plans; course availability can become a constraint even when general admission remains open.

What are the application fees and waivers at Trinidad State College?

Prospective students should check Trinidad State's current application form for any charge before submitting it. An application fee is separate from tuition, course charges, housing payments, and other costs that can arise after admission.

If the application displays a fee, applicants who need assistance should ask admissions about a waiver before paying; a waiver generally cannot be assumed after a payment has been processed. Applicants to specialized programs should also check whether a separate program application or screening step carries its own charge.

What types of ROTC programs are available at Trinidad State College?

Students should not assume that Trinidad State operates an Army, Air Force, or Navy ROTC unit on either campus. A prospective student interested in ROTC needs to establish whether a nearby host institution permits Trinidad State students to cross-enroll and whether the required military-science courses fit their schedule.

Cross-enrollment, where available, is different from having an ROTC detachment at Trinidad State. Scholarship eligibility, participation requirements, and potential service obligations depend on the branch and the student's arrangement. The appropriate ROTC host program is the place to confirm eligibility before relying on ROTC as part of a college or financial plan.

What are the requirements for transfer students at Trinidad State College?

Trinidad State generally accepts transfer applications and evaluates college-level work from other accredited institutions. Transfer students can enter in fall, spring, or summer, subject to course and program availability.

Applicants should submit the admission application and arrange for official transcripts from every college previously attended. Admission to Trinidad State and acceptance of particular credits are separate decisions: the college must determine how prior courses apply to the chosen credential. Students with CLEP or DSST exam results should request an evaluation of those records as well.

Colorado's community-college transfer pathways can make planning toward a bachelor's degree more predictable, but a receiving university ultimately decides which requirements transferred courses satisfy. Before enrolling, a student should request an official evaluation, compare it with the current program plan, and ask about any residency requirement or program-specific prerequisite that remains.

What types of study abroad programs are available at Trinidad State College?

Students should not assume that a semester-long exchange or a short-term overseas course is a standing part of Trinidad State's offerings. International opportunities, if available for a particular term, need to be confirmed against the current course schedule and the student's academic plan.

Anyone considering a program run by another college or an outside provider should obtain written approval for credit before paying a deposit. They should also ask financial aid staff whether their aid can apply, since enrollment arrangements and program costs affect eligibility. Taking an overseas course is not the same as having it count toward a Trinidad State degree.

How to Apply to Trinidad State College

Early Decision

No

Early Action

No

Trinidad State College First-Year Students

Where first-year students come from

In-state: 289
Out-of-state: 53
International: 17

Freshmen vs. transfer students

Freshmen: 359
Transfer: 91

Trinidad State College Admission Requirements

High school completions

General Educational Development (GED) required

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

Yes

Study abroad

No

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

No

Trinidad State College Transfer Acceptance Rate

Generally accepts credits

Yes

Accept ACE recommendation for credit

Yes

Possible transfer

Fall, Spring, Summer

Data last updated on November 2, 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.