Tuition
Trinidad State Admissions
During the award process, the cost of attendance is compared to the student's expected family contribution to determine financial need. The amounts listed are estimates — it is possible to attend Trinidad State College for less than the amounts shown.
This chart estimates educational expenses for students enrolled during the academic year (fall, spring, and/or summer semesters), including direct charges (tuition and fees) and indirect expenses (transportation, books, supplies, miscellaneous living expenses, and room and board). This example reflects a student attending for 9 months (fall/spring). Actual tuition figures may differ due to Colorado's legislative process.
| Expense | Resident | Resident at Home |
Resident On-Campus |
Non-Resident | Non-Resident at Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Fees* | $4,760 | $4,260 | $4,760 | $7,564 | $7,564 |
| Room & Board | $17,658 | $9,666 | $10,008 | $17,658 | $9,666 |
| Books | $1,460 | $1,460 | $1,460 | $1,460 | $1,460 |
| Personal & Medical | $4,878 | $4,779 | $4,878 | $4,878 | $4,779 |
| Transportation | $1,512 | $1,512 | $1,512 | $1,512 | $1,512 |
| Estimated Total | $29,708 | $21,617 | $21,058 | $32,512 | $24,421 |
Resident tuition figures include application of the COF (Colorado Opportunity Fund). All figures are estimates for the 2025–26 academic year.
Need help understanding your cost of attendance or financial aid options?
Contact Financial AidTrinidad State College is currently working cooperatively with higher education authorities in all states and other U.S. jurisdictions to ensure compliance with state authorization requirements that govern the offering of courses in those states, including complaint processes. TSC will continue to monitor developments in the jurisdictions in which it enrolls students, and will obtain approvals or provide notice here if authorization or licensure becomes necessary.
If you are not an on-campus student at TSC and plan to enroll in distance classes, please verify that your state has either authorized or exempted our college to offer such classes or programs to residents of that state.
You are classified as a Colorado resident or non-resident for tuition purposes based on the information you provide on your admissions application. To qualify for in-state rates at Trinidad State College, you must meet both of the following requirements for 12 consecutive months preceding the first day of the term:
- Physically reside in Colorado for 12 consecutive months.
- Have legal ties to Colorado with the intent to remain in Colorado indefinitely.
Examples of legal ties (intent) defined by the state of Colorado may include:
- A Colorado driver's license
- Registered voter in Colorado
- Colorado vehicle registration
- Employment in Colorado
- Filing and withholding state taxes as a Colorado resident
If you have been classified as a non-resident and believe you meet the residency requirements above, please contact the Registrar at (719) 846-5550 to determine if you need to petition for residency. Situations that may qualify include:
- You are a Colorado resident
- You or your parents are not U.S. citizens (ASSET/Deferred Action)
- You are an Honorably Discharged Veteran or Active Duty Military (or dependent)
- Active Duty Military stationed (or TDY) in Colorado — eligible dependents may receive in-state rates by presenting a valid Military ID or active duty orders to the Registrar
- Deployed soldiers should contact christy.holden@trinidadstate.edu for assistance with in-state tuition
- Veterans (or eligible dependents) — the Veteran's DD214 must be filed with the Registrar and the VA Certifying Official before the beginning of the attendance term
Questions about your residency classification?
Call (719) 846-5550Trinidad State has joined the Midwestern State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (M-SARA). SARA is a nationwide initiative that makes distance education courses more accessible to students across state lines and makes it easier for states to regulate institutions offering interstate distance education.
Distance learning complaint process for out-of-state students
Trinidad State College desires to resolve student grievances, complaints, and concerns in an expeditious, fair, and amicable manner. Students residing outside of Colorado who attend TSC and wish to resolve a complaint should follow the College's Student Complaint Procedure. However, if an issue cannot be resolved internally, you may file a complaint with your state. Trinidad State College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.