Pikes Peak State College

What Pikes Peak State College does

Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) is a public higher education institution headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, operating as part of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). Founded in 1968 as Pikes Peak Community College and rebranded in 2023 to reflect its expanded mission, PPSC now offers associate degrees, bachelor's degrees (including a BSN), and certificates across 100+ program options spanning transfer pathways, technical fields, and workforce credentials. The college operates five physical locations — the Centennial Campus (main), Rampart Range Campus, Downtown Studio Campus, Fort Carson Army Education Center, and Peterson Space Force Base Education Center — plus fully online and HyFlex delivery through the D2L Brightspace LMS, enabling flexible access for adult learners, military personnel, and recent high school graduates across the El Paso County region.

The underlying technology stack is a standard higher-ed operating system rather than a differentiated platform: Ellucian CRM Recruit for admissions, Banner (CCCS-wide) for the student information system, D2L Brightspace for course delivery, EAB Navigate for advising, DegreeWorks for degree auditing, Handshake for career services and student employment, and Office 365 as the productivity layer. Specialized physical infrastructure includes the Center for Healthcare Education & Simulation (simulated hospital rooms, clinics, ambulances, advanced mannequins) and a Cybersecurity Center of Excellence. The MVP Lending Library provides free textbook lending to military-connected students, and WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility compliance is in place across digital platforms.

PPSC's business model combines per-credit tuition ($156.40/credit hour in-state, ~$5,813/year for 30 credits — the lowest among regional Colorado institutions) with state appropriations from CCCS, federal Title IV aid (Pell Grants, work-study), >$1.2M in annual PPSC Foundation scholarships, out-of-state and international student tuition, and the Colorado Promise Tax Credit (full reimbursement for qualifying low-income students beginning Fall 2024). The go-to-market motion is community-led and sales-assisted: open-enrollment (free application, no essays/tests/deadlines), recruiter outreach, campus visits, military on-base presence, high school dual enrollment partnerships, and Bridge to Bachelor's transfer guarantees with four-year partners including UCCS. Customer segments are diversified across adult learners (the majority), recent high school graduates, military-affiliated students, workforce development students, international students, and parents/families — with no individual customer concentration.

Name

Pikes Peak State College

Legal name

Pikes Peak State College

Website

https://pikespeak.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1968

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Pikes Peak State College is a public higher education institution in Colorado Springs, Colorado, offering 100+ associate, bachelor's, and certificate programs across five campuses including Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base. It serves adult learners, military-affiliated students, recent high school graduates, and workforce development students at the region's lowest tuition rates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Public Community/State College)

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Community Colleges (Transfer + Workforce) (EDAHADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD), Transfer/University-Parallel Community Colleges (EDAHADAF)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Associate degree programs
• Workforce development training
• Military education services
• Online college courses

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from student tuition and mandatory fees. In-state tuition is $156.40 per credit hour with total annual tuition around $5,813 for 30 credits. Out-of-state tuition is significantly higher. Revenue supports college operations, instruction, and facilities.
2. State Funding: PPSC receives state funding from the Colorado Community College System and Colorado Department of Higher Education as a public institution. This includes operational funding and special initiative funding.
3. Federal Grants: PPSC administers federal financial aid including Pell Grants, federal work-study, and other Title IV programs. While these funds flow to students, they support enrollment and institutional operations.
4. Foundation Scholarships: The PPSC Foundation awards over $1.2 million in scholarships annually to students, which helps reduce student financial barriers and maintain enrollment.
5. International Student Revenue: International students pay tuition and fees, contributing additional revenue as they typically pay out-of-state rates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Pikes Peak State College is a public state college offering associate degrees, certificates, and four-year bachelor's degrees across 100+ programs. Core offerings include specialized academic programs (Zoo Keeping Technology, Surgical Technology, Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, Hospitality & Resort Management), workforce development training, military and veterans education services, and flexible learning formats (HyFlex, online, hybrid). The college also provides student support services including career services, financial aid, transcript evaluation, and a Healthcare Simulation Center for clinical training.

Product overview

Pikes Peak State College is a public higher education institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs and student services. Originally Pikes Peak Community College, the institution rebranded to offer four-year degrees in addition to its existing associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training programs. The core academic offerings include specialized programs in Zoo Keeping Technology, Surgical Technology, Hospitality & Resort Management, and Cybersecurity (a nationally recognized Center of Excellence). The institution serves diverse student populations including traditional students, adult learners, military personnel and veterans through its MVP program, and high school students through concurrent enrollment. Student support infrastructure includes Career Services powered by Handshake, comprehensive financial aid programs including the Colorado Promise Tax Credit, transcript evaluation services, and accessibility accommodations. The institution operates on multiple campuses (Centennial, Rampart Range, Downtown Studio) and offers flexible class formats including HyFlex, online, and hybrid options, with clinical simulation facilities for health sciences programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zoo Keeping Technology Program One of only six Zoo Keeping Technology programs nationwide, preparing students for careers in animal care, endangered species care, conservation, animal husbandry, exhibit design, biology, and preventative medicine.
• Surgical Technology Program Prepares students to become key members of the surgical team, working with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses to provide patient care before, during, and after surgery.
• Hospitality & Resort Management Program Provides hands-on experience and skills in event planning, customer service, and facility management, with options to enter the hospitality industry or transfer to a four-year university.
• Cybersecurity Program Nationally recognized Center of Excellence program preparing students for high-demand careers, with multiple degree and certificate options covering hacking defenses, network security fundamentals, and security architecture.
• High School Dual/Concurrent Enrollment Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Annual tuition savings of approximately $7,000+ compared to state universities
• +2 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Handshake (by Ripple)coreTechnology or IntegrationHandshake is an online employment services platform that connects PPSC students with employers for part-time work-study positions, internships, and post-graduation employment. The platform allows employers to post jobs, review student resumes, and connect with the college's diverse student workforce.
• National Association of College and Employers (NACE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPSC Career Services is a member of NACE and adheres to the NACE Principles for Professional Practice governing employer recruitment activities and career development standards.
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPPSC and UCCS have launched new access initiatives including tuition coverage programs and reduced concurrent enrollment rates ($5,250 vs. $12,644) to expand postsecondary options for El Paso County students.
• El Paso County School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEl Paso County school districts are partnering with PPSC to expand work-based Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and concurrent enrollment options to prepare students for workforce demands.
• Patton Veterans ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Patton Veterans Project uses collaborative filmmaking as therapeutic pathway for veterans coping with post-traumatic and service-related stress. PPSC hosts workshops and film screenings as part of this partnership.
• Portraits for PatriotsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortraits for Patriots is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects transitioning service members with professional photographers for free headshots. The MVP office partners with this organization to provide free professional headshots to military-connected students.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Front Range Community College: Colorado community college in the same CCCS system serving the northern Front Range (Westminster, Fort Collins, Longmont, Brighton, Boulder). Direct peer given shared state system, shared tuition structure, shared technology stack (Ellucian/Banner), and overlapping transfer/workforce program mix.
• Community College of Denver: CCCS community college in downtown Denver offering associate degrees, transfer pathways, and workforce training. Direct peer operating under the same state funding model and tuition schedule.
• Community College of Aurora: CCCS community college in Aurora, CO, serving a similar mix of adult learners, dual-enrolled high schoolers, and workforce students. Direct peer in scale, mission, and system-level cost structure.
• Pueblo Community College: CCCS community college serving southern Colorado with comparable health sciences, workforce, and transfer offerings. Direct peer under the same state system, similar tuition, and similar CTE program mix including healthcare simulation.
• Trinidad State College: Colorado community college recently upgraded to a state college designation — direct parallel to PPSC's rebrand trajectory, now offering both 2-year and select 4-year programs. Closest analog within CCCS to PPSC's institutional evolution.
• Red Rocks Community College: CCCS community college in Lakewood/Arvada, CO, with similar associate-degree, transfer, and technical programs. Direct peer sharing the CCCS pricing structure, Banner SIS, and workforce development mandate.
• Arapahoe Community College: CCCS community college in Littleton, CO, offering associate degrees, transfer pathways, and workforce certificates. Direct peer under the same state system with comparable tuition, concurrent enrollment programs, and military/veteran services.
• Pima Community College: Multi-campus public community college in Tucson, AZ, with comparable enrollment scale, healthcare/workforce programs, and military-base proximity (Davis-Monthan AFB). Useful peer for military-student services and multi-campus operating model.
• Austin Community College: One of the largest community college districts in the U.S. serving the Austin metro with multiple campuses, extensive healthcare/IT/CTE programs, and military-affiliated student services. Useful peer for scale, multi-campus model, and program breadth.

Broad incumbents

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS): Local 4-year university in Colorado Springs that is both a competitor (4-year degree competition) and a transfer partner via the Bridge to Bachelor's program. Comparable as the dominant 4-year incumbent in the same metro.

Market position

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pikespeakedu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/pikespeakcc
• Facebookfacebook.com/PikesPeakedu
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pikes-peak-state-college
• Instagraminstagram.com/pikespeakedu

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pikes Peak State College