University of Colorado School of Medicine Requirements, Tuition, and More

We’re covering everything you need to know as you consider applying to the University of Colorado School of Medicine. You’ll learn about enrollment rates, application deadlines, average MCAT scores, tuition, curriculum, and more.

[ RELATED: MCAT Prep Courses Near Aurora, CO ]

Started on the University of Colorado’s Boulder campus in 1883, the School of Medicine is now housed on a 540-acre, state-of-the-art campus in Aurora, Colorado. The Anschutz Medical Campus is the first medical campus in the nation created to combine education, research, and patient care in one centralized location.
The desire to make a positive impact on the community locally, nationally, and internationally is a significant aspect of the University of Colorado’s mission. Faculty and students from the Department of Medicine volunteer at sites across the Aurora area, including clinics that provide care for a variety of underserved populations. The Department also participates in the Community Campus Partnership, which is a community-university alliance intended to support collaborative projects that improve the health and well-being of the community. Additionally, the school operates six Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) across the state of Colorado, helping students from elementary and secondary schools in underserved areas pursue careers in health care.
Approximately 48% of the students in the class of 2022 identify as non-Caucasian and 28% come from backgrounds under-represented in medicine. As part of its efforts to improve diversity and inclusion in the medical field, the School of Medicine offers a pipeline BA/BS-MD program. The eight-year program reserves 10 spots each year that are given to incoming students from broadly diverse backgrounds.

The curriculum at the University of Colorado School of Medicine is divided into four phases in two categories: the Essentials Core (phases one and two) and the Clinical Core (phases three and four).
During the first two phases—which take place during the first 18 months of medical school—students participate in lectures, team-based learning sessions, lab exercises, and small group discussions. Electives taken during this time help students explore different career paths and possible research interests.
Phase three consists of required clinical clerkships, which help students develop advanced skills in clinical practice, translational clinical science, and communication. The final phase encompasses 32 weeks of educational time, including a required four-week sub-internship rotation, two required two-week integrated clinician courses, 24 weeks of elective time, and the presentation of students’ capstone projects.
Threads that run through all four years include Culturally Effective Medicine; Evidence-Based Medicine and Medical Informatics; Humanities, Ethics, and Professionalism; and Medicine and Society.
Through the Mentored Scholarly Activity program, students also have the opportunity to work closely with a faculty mentor on a project of mutual interest throughout the duration of their time in medical school.
The University of Colorado School of Medicine offers the following degree programs:

• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Physical Therapy
• Master of Physician Assistant Studies
• Medical Scientist Training Program Degree
• Master of Medical Science in Anesthesiology Program
• Master of Science in Genetic Counseling
• Master of Science in Modern Human Anatomy
• PhD Programs

The University of Colorado School of Medicine collected more than $426 million in research funding in 2018. Research studies are currently underway in a number of areas, including:

• Cancer (218 studies)
• Brain and Nervous System (113 studies)
• Women’s Health (70 studies)
• Heart and Blood Conditions (46 studies)
• Digestive Health (34 studies)
• Bones, Muscles, and Joints (29 studies)
• Pain and Inflammation (28 studies)
• Diabetes and Hormone Disorders (25 studies)

Through the Center for Advancing Professional Excellence (CAPE), the school has participated in research endeavors with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs. A partnership with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment allowed for the rollout of the first competency-based skills assessment for patient navigators serving a diverse population across the state.
In 2018, faculty accomplishments included the Gold Humanism Award, Excellence in Patient Care Award, and Clinical Excellence Award.

• Emergency Medicine
• Pathology
• Pediatrics
• Family Medicine

In order to apply to the University of Colorado School of Medicine, students must have a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit across a four-year curriculum. While an undergraduate degree is not required, most applicants either have completed—or are in the process of completing—a bachelor’s degree before they matriculate.
Students must have taken the following courses:

• Human Biology – 8 hours
• General Chemistry – 8 hours
• Organic Chemistry – 8 hours
• General Physics – 8 hours
• English Literature/Composition – 6 hours
• College-Level Mathematics (Algebra and Above) – 6 hours

Qualified candidates may also have taken courses in biochemistry, computer sciences, genetics, humanities, and social sciences. Applicants who have taken the required coursework are all considered, regardless of their major, if they can demonstrate effective learning habits, critical thinking skills, and a habit of life-long learning.
In order to apply, students must also submit three-to-five letters of recommendation from faculty members or supervisors. Applicants are encouraged to choose individuals with whom they have worked in the last year to write their letters of recommendation.
The University of Colorado does accept transfer students, as long as they have advanced standing and are transferring from another LCME accredited medical school. They must have completed their basic science training but not their clerkship training.

In the 2017-2018 application cycle, 7347 candidates applied to the University of Colorado School of Medicine. 642 applicants received an interview (8.7% interview rate) and 183 ultimately enrolled (2.5%).

For the 2019-2020 year, first-year medical students who are residents of Colorado paid $40,348 in tuition. Out-of-state students paid $66,303 for their first-year and between $62,000 and $65,000 for the following three years.
Financial aid and scholarships are available for qualified students. The University of Colorado School of Medicine offers scholarships in the following categories:

• Diversity and Equity
• Leadership and Merit
• Research
• Commitment to Primary Care
• Commitment to Rural Care

Here is the application cycle for the University of Colorado School of Medicine:

• Early June: AMCAS Application opens
• July 2: Earliest date to submit supplemental application
• September – February: Interviews are conducted
• October 15: AMCAS application deadline
• October 15: Offers of admissions begin to be extended
• December 15: Supplemental application deadline
• July 3: Deadline to commit to enroll.

Applications are assessed on a rolling basis and the application fee is $100. 

Candidates accepted in the 2017-2018 application cycle had a median undergraduate GPA of 3.76 and median MCAT scores of 511.

In 2019, students graduating from the University of Colorado School of Medicine matched into programs in specialties including family medicine, general surgery, anesthesiology, pediatrics, internal medicine, neurology, pathology, psychiatry, and more.
Match locations included the University of Colorado, University of Texas, Duke University, Cleveland Clinic, Emory University, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Ohio State University, Mayo Clinic, and others.