Colorado Christian University

Student Profile

Fall 2015 Enrollment
1,218 undergraduate students
100% of undergrad students are full time
40% male 60% female
47% of students are from out of state

Faculty Profile

2015-2016 Academic Year
53 full-time faculty
109 part-time faculty
9 to 1 student/faculty ratio

Residence Life

Fall 2015
98% of first year students live on campus
55% of all students live on campus

School Location

Colorado Christian University is located in Lakewood, Colorado – a suburb that sits on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, just ten miles west of downtown Denver. Because of its unique location, CCU can offer the best of both worlds with an exciting Colorado lifestyle.

High-Impact Practices

Read more about the importance of High-Impact Practices

Retention Fall 2015

93% of students began in Fall 2013 and returned in Fall 2014 (full time, first time freshmen)

6 Year Graduation Rate 2014

40% of students graduated in 6 years

ENROLLMENT BY RACIAL/ETHNIC CATEGORY - FALL 2014

Athletics

Colorado Christian University is an NCAA Division-II college, offering 15 varsity sports in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), one of the largest and most competitive conferences in the nation. The University is also a member of the National Christian College Athletics Association (NCCAA).

Mascot: Cougars
Colors: Navy Blue and Gold

Other Information

As a member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, CCU is ranked among the top universities nationwide and has been named a top Colorado University and one of the top Christian colleges in Colorado and in the nation. The University offers more than 100 degree programs for traditional undergraduates, adult undergraduates, and graduate students through the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies.

Common Intellectual Experiences

The mission of the general education program in the College of Undergraduate Studies is to build a broad, foundational knowledge of the humanities, philosophy, reformation theology, and the study of western civilization and democracy. The general education requirements attempt to sharpen students’ knowledge of American politics and economics, Christian church history, and philosophy in western society. In addition, studies in scientific thought and mathematics stimulate inquiry, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Students learn to think logically, analytically, creatively, and ethically.

Diversity and Global Learning

Colorado Christian University encourages students to experience other cultures and expand their academic experience by participating in study abroad programs and other  off-campus opportunities. The university’s study abroad and Best Semester programs provide students with more than a dozen Christian-based academic opportunities in countries such as Australia, China, England, and Uganda. There are also opportunities to participate in off-campus study programs within the U.S., including the American Studies Program in Washington, D.C.; the Film Studies Center in Los Angeles, CA; and the Contemporary Music Center in Nashville, TN.

Centennial Institute – CCU’s Public-Policy Think Tank

CCU’s Centennial Institute is a public-policy think tank whose mission is to “sponsor research, events, and publications to enhance public understanding of the most important issues facing our state and nation.” The Centennial Institute impacts culture and enriches educational opportunities for CCU students, faculty, and staff. By proclaiming truth, the goal of the institute is to teach proper citizenship by fostering a sense of faith, family, and freedom.

Through the Centennial Institute, select CCU students may apply for the 1776 Scholars program. The program exists to mentor America’s next generation of leaders—patriots who have the intellectual curiosity, moral compass and youthful energy to make positive differences in this great nation. The Institute’s scholars benefit from political training from prominent politicians and thought-leaders. This internship with the Institute provides professional experiences that lead to outstanding job opportunities.

Activities Offered

First-Year Seminars and Experiences

The First-Year Integration (FYI) program is a required course for all first-time freshmen in the College of Undergraduate Studies.

CCU’s unique approach to the First-Year Integration program encourages students to explore their spiritual gifts, individual strengths, and their own personal mission statements. At CCU, FYI classes enable students to develop lifelong, personal connections and mentorships with their FYI instructors.

In addition to FYI, students at CCU benefit from a unique academic advising model through CCU’s Life Directions Center (LDC). Through the LDC, students are assigned advisors who meet with them through their entire CCU experience. One of the key roles of an LDC Advisor is to assist students through the process of making well-informed, Christ-centered decisions for their majors and future careers. LDC Advisors help students explore their individual abilities and purpose. CCU believes that students have unique, God-given purposes that take time and patience to develop. At other colleges and universities, changing majors also means changing advisors; however, at CCU, LDC advisor relationships stay intact as students pray through their majors and their vocations.

Annual Symposium

Each year, CCU students break from their traditional class schedules for a two-day symposium on topics that impact CCU’s core values: faith, family, and freedom. During the event, nationally known experts challenge the CCU community to help restore values in topics ranging from civil liberties, compassion for the poor, the free-market system, apologetics, and religious freedom.

Common Core

CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND MINISTRIES

Discipleship groups (D-Groups) at CCU offer freshmen the chance to get to know other students on a deep spiritual level. D-Groups offer consistent communities for encouragement, accountability, and support. They are also safe places to ask questions in small group settings, share prayer requests, and become actively engaged in their peers’ spiritual lives. Ultimately, each group’s focus is to grow closer to Jesus while also growing closer to one another in authentic relationships.

Student Discipleship

Discipleship groups (D-Groups) at CCU offer freshmen the chance to get to know other students on a deep spiritual level. D-Groups offer consistent communities for encouragement, accountability, and support. They are also safe places to ask questions in small group settings, share prayer requests, and become actively engaged in their peers’ spiritual lives. Ultimately, each group’s focus is to grow closer to Jesus while also growing closer to one another in authentic relationships.

Spiritual Formation

CCU uses the term ‘spiritual formation’ to refer to everything students and staff do both in and out of the classroom. The student body reflects the heart of Christ’s message and explores controversial questions. Ultimately, their goal is to live right in character, community, and calling. Through discipleship, mentorship, and weekly worship, CCU helps students develop confident, authentic faiths that shape every part of their lives.

Missions and Ministry

CCU students show their faith by their deeds. In the last 15 years, the CCU2theWorld missions program has sent over 200 short-term mission teams to more than 50 countries and 12 U.S. states. Through this program, students serve in relational evangelism, work projects, teaching, sports outreach, and more. Each trip has its own mission, and each team has its own character. CCU’s overseas mission trips are all student-led and staff-advised, allowing students the opportunity to start making significant differences in the world even while they are still in college.

CAMPUS HOUSING OPTIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATES

The Employment Management Services

The Employment Management Services (EMS) program at CCU partners with hundreds of highly selective employers to place exceptional CCU students in paid positions both during college and upon graduation. Through EMS, students develop competitive resumes, practice interview skills, and meet with potential employers. EMS enables students to gain general work experience in areas of interest so that they may deepen their degree programs and obtain employment immediately after graduation.

Service Learning

CCU’s unique ministry hours requirement showcases the University’s commitment to preparing graduates for Christian leadership and service. In order to graduate from the College of Undergraduate Studies, every student must complete 45 hours per academic year at CCU. The purpose of this requirement is to encourage students to develop lifestyles of service and to provide opportunities to explore different areas of service and vocational calling. The ministry hours requirement pushes students to branch out of their comfort zones and explore ways to serve outside of their immediate circles of influence. For this reason, a maximum of 25% of students’ ministry hours can be service within the CCU community. Ministry hours may be completed at church, organizations and businesses, and through domestic and overseas missions.

ADMISSIONS

Admissions Fall 2015

1,414 Total Applicants
1,010 Total Admissions
439 Total Freshmen Enrollment

Selectivity
71.43% of applicants admitted

Admissions Deadlines for 2016-17 Admission

Rolling Admission? No

Application closing date (fall): August 15th
Priority date: April 1st

Admissions Factors

Very Important
Rigor of secondary school record
Application Essay
Recommendation(s)
Interview
Character/personal qualities
Religious affiliation/commitment

Important
Class rank
Academic GPA
Standardized test scores
Extracurricular activities
Talent/ability
Volunteer work

Considered
First generation
Alumni/ae relation
Geographical residence
State residency
Racial/ethnic status
Work experience

Admissions Information

Applicants to the College of Undergraduate Studies are evaluated on the basis of previous academic achievement (including grade point average and standardized test scores), personal and professional goals, integrity, and Christian character. Applicants must be committed followers of Jesus Christ and exemplify a vital Christian pursuit and a strong desire to participate in a Christ-centered, biblically-based community of scholarship and holy living. Students who are admitted to the College of Undergraduate Studies must also agree to sign the Student Lifestyle Covenant and abide by all University policies in the Student Handbook.

High school seniors who identify CCU as one of their top college choices should consider the Preferred Admission Program. Preferred Admission is granted to students who are admitted and have submitted a tuition deposit to the University by December 1 each year. The general priority application deadline for admission, financial aid, and scholarship consideration is April 1 for the fall semester. Students interested in receiving federal and/or institutional financial aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In 2015-16, nearly 99% of admitted students qualified for some form of financial aid assistance.

TUITION AND COSTS

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TUITION AND COSTS BEFORE FINANCIAL AID 2016-2017

FINANCIAL AID

Financial Aid Breakdown 2014-2015

99% of full-time first-time undergraduates receiving any financial aid
56% of full-time first-time undergraduates receiving student loan aid

$13,692 Average amount of federal state local or institutional grant aid received
$8,166 Average amount of student loan aid received by full-time first-time undergraduates