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Best Schools in Colorado

2023 Best Schools in Colorado

31 Schools Ranked
$50,455 Average Earnings
$29,711 Avg Student Debt

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. Or you may find the programs at a trade school or bootcamp to be a better alternative for you.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Schools in Colorado ranking. This report analyzed 31 schools in Colorado to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Colorado

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, Colorado
1,979 Total Awards
$76,298 Average Earnings
$64,838 Avg Student Debt

Our 2023 rankings named Colorado School of Mines the best school in Colorado for students working on their degree. Mines is a medium-sized public school situated in Golden, Colorado. It awarded 1,979 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Mines accumulate an average of $64,838 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Mines graduates make an average of $76,298 annually.

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3,299 Total Awards
$68,936 Average Earnings
$17,091 Avg Student Debt

Out of the 31 schools in Colorado that were part of this year’s ranking, Colorado State University - Global Campus landed the # 2 spot on the list. Colorado State University - Global Campus is a medium-sized public school located in Aurora, Colorado that handed out 3,299 degrees in .

On average, students take out $17,091 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Colorado State University - Global Campus, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $68,936 during the early years of their career.

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7,794 Total Awards
$51,693 Average Earnings
$47,776 Avg Student Debt

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Schools in Colorado list. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, the large public school handed out 7,794 degrees in .

On average, students take out $47,776 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Colorado State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,693 during the early years of their career.

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#4

Colorado College

Colorado Springs, Colorado
604 Total Awards
$37,342 Average Earnings

The excellent programs at Colorado College helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Colorado. Colorado College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It awarded 604 degrees in .

Once they receive their degree, Colorado College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,342 during the early year of their career.

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#5

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
10,241 Total Awards
$55,861 Average Earnings
$66,287 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at University of Colorado Boulder helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Colorado. Located in Boulder, Colorado, the large public school handed out 10,241 degrees in .

On average, students take out $66,287 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from CU - Boulder, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,861 during the early years of their career.

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#6

Red Rocks Community College

Lakewood, Colorado
2,071 Total Awards
$76,340 Average Earnings
$22,661 Avg Student Debt

Red Rocks Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Schools in Colorado list. Located in Lakewood, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,071 degrees in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,661 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Red Rocks Community College graduates make an average of $76,340 annually.

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5,678 Total Awards
$66,022 Average Earnings
$33,720 Avg Student Debt

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ranked #7 on this year’s Best Schools in Colorado list. Located in Denver, Colorado, the large public school handed out 5,678 degrees in .

On average, students take out $33,720 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from CU Anschutz, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $66,022 during the early years of their career.

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#8

Arapahoe Community College

Littleton, Colorado
1,763 Total Awards
$47,579 Average Earnings
$25,154 Avg Student Debt

Arapahoe Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #8 on the list. This fairly large public school is located in Littleton, Colorado, and it awarded 1,763 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Arapahoe Community College accumulate an average of $25,154 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Arapahoe Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,579 during the early years of their career.

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#9

Front Range Community College

Westminster, Colorado
4,942 Total Awards
$40,414 Average Earnings
$19,311 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #9, Front Range Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Located in Westminster, Colorado, the large public school handed out 4,942 degrees in .

On average, students take out $19,311 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, FRCC graduates make an average of $40,414 annually.

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#10

University of Denver

Denver, Colorado
5,199 Total Awards
$56,999 Average Earnings
$69,185 Avg Student Debt

University of Denver landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. University of Denver is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 5,199 degrees in .

On average, students take out $69,185 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, DU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,999 during the early year of their career.

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#11

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, Colorado
2,653 Total Awards
$45,705 Average Earnings
$32,342 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #11, University of Northern Colorado did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 2,653 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,342 in student loans. During the early years of their career, University of Northern Colorado graduates make an average of $45,705 annually.

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#13

Regis University

Denver, Colorado
1,748 Total Awards
$72,028 Average Earnings
$33,723 Avg Student Debt

Regis University landed the #13 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Regis U is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Denver, Colorado. It awarded 1,748 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Regis U accumulate an average of $33,723 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Regis U, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $72,028 during the early years of their career.

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#14

Pikes Peak Community College

Colorado Springs, Colorado
3,180 Total Awards
$41,037 Average Earnings
$14,775 Avg Student Debt

Pikes Peak Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the fairly large public school handed out 3,180 degrees in .

On average, students take out $14,775 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, PPCC graduates make an average of $41,037 annually.

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#15

Colorado Christian University

Lakewood, Colorado
1,435 Total Awards
$47,333 Average Earnings
$26,382 Avg Student Debt

Colorado Christian University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Colorado ranking. CCU is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Lakewood, Colorado. It awarded 1,435 degrees in .

On average, students take out $26,382 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CCU graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,333 during the early year of their career.

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#16

Community College of Aurora

Aurora, Colorado
1,015 Total Awards
$38,587 Average Earnings
$14,411 Avg Student Debt

Community College of Aurora did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #16 on the list. Located in Aurora, Colorado, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,015 diplomas to qualifed students in .

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,411 in student loans. During the early years of their career, CCA graduates make an average of $38,587 annually.

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#17

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, Colorado
2,708 Total Awards
$52,626 Average Earnings
$33,955 Avg Student Debt

University of Colorado at Colorado Springs came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Colorado ranking. Located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the fairly large public school awarded 2,708 diplomas to qualifed students in .

On average, students take out $33,955 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from UCCS, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $52,626 during the early years of their career.

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#18

Adams State University

Alamosa, Colorado
985 Total Awards
$48,101 Average Earnings
$30,385 Avg Student Debt

Adams State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #18 on the list. Adams State is located in Alamosa, Colorado and has a small student population. In , this school awarded 985 degrees to qualified students.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $30,385 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Adams State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,101 during the early year of their career.

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#19

Aims Community College

Greeley, Colorado
1,890 Total Awards
$45,909 Average Earnings
$20,332 Avg Student Debt

Aims Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #19 on the list. Located in Greeley, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,890 degrees in .

On average, students take out $20,332 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Aims Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,909 during the early years of their career.

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3,268 Total Awards
$44,861 Average Earnings
$19,641 Avg Student Debt

Metropolitan State University of Denver came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Colorado ranking. MSU Denver is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,268 degrees in .

On average, students take out $19,641 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, MSU Denver graduates make an average of $44,861 annually.

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#21

Colorado Mountain College

Glenwood Springs, Colorado
1,428 Total Awards
$48,694 Average Earnings
$12,953 Avg Student Debt

Colorado Mountain College landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Colorado Mountain College is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In , this school awarded 1,428 degrees to qualified students.

Degree recipients from Colorado Mountain College accumulate an average of $12,953 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Colorado Mountain College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,694 during the early years of their career.

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860 Total Awards
$49,098 Average Earnings
$25,530 Avg Student Debt

Colorado State University - Pueblo did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #22 on the list. Located in Pueblo, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 860 degrees in .

On average, students take out $25,530 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Colorado State University - Pueblo graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,098 during the early year of their career.

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#23

Western Colorado University

Gunnison, Colorado
589 Total Awards
$36,712 Average Earnings
$37,930 Avg Student Debt

Western Colorado University landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs. Western Colorado University is a small public school located in Gunnison, Colorado that handed out 589 degrees in .

Degree recipients from Western accumulate an average of $37,930 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Western graduates make an average of $36,712 annually.

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#24

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, Colorado
2,113 Total Awards
$43,617 Average Earnings
$19,201 Avg Student Debt

Colorado Mesa University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. Colorado Mesa is a medium-sized public school situated in Grand Junction, Colorado. It awarded 2,113 degrees in .

On average, students take out $19,201 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Colorado Mesa graduates make an average of $43,617 annually.

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#25

Morgan Community College

Fort Morgan, Colorado
325 Total Awards
$70,413 Average Earnings

With a ranking of #25, Morgan Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working. Located in Fort Morgan, Colorado, the small public school handed out 325 degrees in .

After graduating from Morgan Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $70,413 during the early years of their career.

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Best Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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