Best Colleges in Colorado (2026)
75 colleges ranked by graduate earnings, acceptance rates, and outcomes — powered by federal data from the U.S. Department of Education.
75
Colleges
$43,902
Avg Earnings (10yr)
$18,658
Avg Net Price
80%
Avg Admit Rate
48%
Avg Grad Rate
State Overview
Colorado is home to 75 colleges and universities, ranging from research universities to community colleges. Colorado School of Mines leads the state in graduate earnings, with state alumni earning $43,902 on average ten years after enrollment. Whether you're looking for a flagship research university, a liberal arts college, or a career-focused program, Colorado offers diverse options across all price points.
Quick Facts — Colorado Colleges
Top 10 Colleges in Colorado by Graduate Earnings
Ranked by median earnings 10 years after enrollment. Public and private nonprofit only.
6
Colorado College
Colorado Springs·Private Nonprofit
Admit
18%
Net Price
$33,375
Grad Rate
88%
Earnings
$65,222
7
Admit
75%
Net Price
$11,900
Grad Rate
46%
Earnings
$64,270
8
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins·Public
Admit
89%
Net Price
$21,279
Grad Rate
67%
Earnings
$60,543
10
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs·Public
Admit
97%
Net Price
$15,788
Grad Rate
47%
Earnings
$54,659
Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado
Lowest average net price after grants and scholarships. Public and private nonprofit only.
#5 Most AffordablePublic
Colorado Mountain CollegeGlenwood Springs, CO
$7,813/ yr avg net
27% grad rate
Popular Majors
Compare the best colleges for top fields of study — ranked by graduate earnings nationwide.
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Find my Colorado collegeAll Colleges in Colorado
All 75 accredited institutions. Click column headers to sort.
| School | City | Type | Admit Rate | Net Price | Grad Rate | Earnings (10yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academy of Natural Therapy Inc | Greeley | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $25,770 |
| Adams State University | Alamosa | Public | N/A | $12,980 | 39% | $44,372 |
| Aims Community College | Greeley | Public | N/A | $11,463 | 40% | $41,887 |
| Apex College of Veterinary Technology | Colorado Springs | Private For-Profit | N/A | $20,030 | N/A | N/A |
| Arapahoe Community College | Littleton | Public | N/A | $11,571 | 29% | $48,341 |
| Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora | Aurora | Private For-Profit | 100% | $37,153 | N/A | $34,657 |
| Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder | Boulder | Private For-Profit | N/A | $13,367 | N/A | $32,001 |
| Avalon Institute-Aurora | Aurora | Private For-Profit | N/A | $15,856 | N/A | $24,367 |
| Aveda Institute-Denver | Denver | Private For-Profit | N/A | $20,167 | N/A | $38,020 |
| Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology | Denver | Private For-Profit | N/A | $22,905 | N/A | $39,506 |
| Cheeks Beauty Academy | Loveland | Private For-Profit | N/A | $9,739 | N/A | $25,459 |
| Colorado Christian University | Lakewood | Private Nonprofit | N/A | $29,500 | 64% | $50,416 |
| Colorado College | Colorado Springs | Private Nonprofit | 18% | $33,375 | 88% | $65,222 |
| Colorado Media School | Denver | Private For-Profit | N/A | $30,514 | N/A | $37,423 |
| Colorado Mesa University | Grand Junction | Public | 82% | $15,103 | 41% | $45,823 |
| Colorado Mountain College | Glenwood Springs | Public | N/A | $7,813 | 27% | $44,127 |
| Colorado Northwestern Community College | Rangely | Public | N/A | $12,131 | 34% | $43,526 |
| Colorado School of Healing Arts | Lakewood | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $33,444 |
| Colorado School of Mines | Golden | Public | 61% | $28,690 | 82% | $97,335 |
| Colorado School of Trades | Lakewood | Private For-Profit | 91% | $26,083 | N/A | $51,591 |
| Colorado State University Global | Denver | Public | 98% | $16,510 | N/A | $76,813 |
| Colorado State University Pueblo | Pueblo | Public | 95% | $10,051 | 40% | $55,563 |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins | Fort Collins | Public | 89% | $21,279 | 67% | $60,543 |
| Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Private For-Profit | N/A | $16,745 | 19% | $37,180 |
| Community College of Aurora | Aurora | Public | N/A | $8,656 | N/A | $44,592 |
| Community College of Denver | Denver | Public | N/A | $9,450 | 20% | $39,095 |
| Concorde Career College-Aurora | Aurora | Private For-Profit | 90% | $16,666 | 64% | $42,456 |
| Denver College of Nursing | Denver | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $81,809 |
| Dr. Ida Rolf Institute | Boulder | Private Nonprofit | 100% | $35,373 | N/A | N/A |
| Emily Griffith Technical College | Denver | Public | N/A | $7,197 | N/A | $35,487 |
| Empire Beauty School-Aurora | Aurora | Private For-Profit | N/A | $18,186 | N/A | $24,022 |
| Empire Beauty School-Littleton | Littleton | Private For-Profit | N/A | $17,136 | N/A | $24,022 |
| Empire Beauty School-Thornton | Thornton | Private For-Profit | N/A | $16,752 | N/A | $24,397 |
| Fort Lewis College | Durango | Public | 77% | $17,296 | 36% | $46,349 |
| Front Range Community College | Westminster | Public | N/A | $13,031 | 35% | $45,910 |
| IBMC College | Fort Collins | Private For-Profit | N/A | $34,590 | N/A | $34,432 |
| Intellitec College-Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Private For-Profit | N/A | $30,716 | N/A | $42,169 |
| Intellitec College-Grand Junction | Grand Junction | Private For-Profit | N/A | $19,216 | N/A | $31,541 |
| International Salon and Spa Academy | Colorado Springs | Private For-Profit | N/A | $20,725 | N/A | $22,332 |
| Lamar Community College | Lamar | Public | N/A | $9,161 | N/A | $38,719 |
| Lincoln College of Technology-Denver | Denver | Private For-Profit | N/A | $32,423 | N/A | $46,396 |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | Denver | Public | 99% | $15,327 | 32% | $52,093 |
| Montessori Education Center of the Rockies | Denver | Private Nonprofit | 100% | $19,557 | 83% | $44,643 |
| Morgan Community College | Fort Morgan | Public | N/A | $9,266 | 45% | $39,429 |
| Naropa University | Boulder | Private Nonprofit | 100% | $29,179 | 37% | $28,720 |
| National Institute for Medical Assistant Advancement (NIMAA) | Denver | Private Nonprofit | 29% | $12,959 | N/A | N/A |
| Nazarene Bible College | Colorado Springs | Private Nonprofit | N/A | N/A | N/A | $41,450 |
| Northeastern Junior College | Sterling | Public | N/A | $13,801 | N/A | $39,893 |
| Otero College | La Junta | Public | N/A | $11,103 | N/A | $39,018 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Private For-Profit | N/A | $22,022 | N/A | $27,683 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Denver | Lakewood | Private For-Profit | N/A | $25,711 | N/A | N/A |
| Pickens Technical College | Aurora | Public | N/A | $6,600 | N/A | $39,210 |
| Pikes Peak State College | Colorado Springs | Public | N/A | $6,007 | 21% | $40,796 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Aurora | Aurora | Private For-Profit | N/A | $23,255 | N/A | N/A |
| Pima Medical Institute-Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Private For-Profit | N/A | $26,848 | N/A | $38,673 |
| Pima Medical Institute-Denver | Denver | Private For-Profit | N/A | $22,034 | N/A | $38,673 |
| Pueblo Community College | Pueblo | Public | N/A | $12,045 | 31% | $37,434 |
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood | Public | N/A | $9,044 | 32% | $46,288 |
| Regis University | Denver | Private Nonprofit | 86% | $18,397 | 61% | $72,105 |
| Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design | Lakewood | Private For-Profit | N/A | $32,363 | 32% | $42,958 |
| Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology | Broomfield | Private For-Profit | N/A | $30,065 | N/A | $59,093 |
| Stacey James Institute | Parker | Private For-Profit | N/A | $17,042 | N/A | N/A |
| Taft University System | Denver | Private For-Profit | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Technical College of the Rockies | Delta | Public | N/A | $3,796 | N/A | $45,516 |
| The Salon Professional Academy-Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Private For-Profit | N/A | $14,409 | N/A | $28,934 |
| TIGI Hairdressing Academy Legacy | Colorado Springs | Private For-Profit | N/A | $25,777 | N/A | $22,480 |
| Trinidad State College | Trinidad | Public | N/A | $10,772 | 55% | $36,475 |
| Tuana European Beauty Academy | Fort Collins | Private For-Profit | N/A | $17,052 | N/A | N/A |
| United States Air Force Academy | USAF Academy | Public | 14% | N/A | 88% | N/A |
| University of Colorado Boulder | Boulder | Public | 78% | $25,346 | 74% | $69,738 |
| University of Colorado Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Public | 97% | $15,788 | 47% | $54,659 |
| University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus | Denver | Public | 75% | $11,900 | 46% | $64,270 |
| University of Denver | Denver | Private Nonprofit | 78% | $36,131 | 76% | $71,155 |
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley | Public | 86% | $17,760 | 51% | $52,231 |
| Western Colorado University | Gunnison | Public | 100% | $16,425 | 51% | $46,833 |
Showing 75 of 75 schools