2023 Best Value Schools in Colorado
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
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. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools and bootcamps that offer fast-track entry to many fields.
Along with in-depth profiles of schools and the programs they offer, Course Advisor has created the Best Value Schools in Colorado to help you in your search for the best school for you. This report analyzed 31 schools in Colorado to see which ones offered the best value programs for students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
This ranking is not just a list of inexpensive schools. We also consider each school's quality, since we believe a low-quality school may not be a 'bargain' at any price. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
For nationwide and regional rankings, we use out-of-state tuition and fees in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
Featured schools near , edit
Top Value Schools in Colorado
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Aims Community College the best value school in Colorado for students working on their degree. Located in Greeley, Colorado, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,501 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Aims Community College are $10,418 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,026 in student loans.After graduating from Aims Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,230 during the early years of their career.
The excellent programs at Arapahoe Community College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value schools in Colorado. This fairly large public school is located in Littleton, Colorado, and it awarded 653 degrees in 2020-2021.
Arapahoe Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,502 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,702 in student loans.After graduating from Arapahoe Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,257 during the early years of their career.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Front Range Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Colorado list. Westminster, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 6,238 students in 2020-2021.
FRCC undergraduate students pay an average of $15,454 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $20,922 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, FRCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $36,174 during the early year of their career.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Red Rocks Community College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Red Rocks Community College is located in Lakewood, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2,151 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Red Rocks Community College are $15,811 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $17,601 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Red Rocks Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $53,516 during the early years of their career.
On top of its placing in our value ranking, Red Rocks Community College also did well on our Best Schools in Colorado list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Pikes Peak Community College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. Colorado Springs, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,559 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at PPCC are $15,403 per year. On average, students take out $14,776 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, PPCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $31,856 during the early year of their career.
Community College of Aurora ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Colorado list. Aurora, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 838 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at CCA are $15,369 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $19,207 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, CCA graduates make an average of $39,128 annually.
Morgan Community College landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Fort Morgan, Colorado is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 349 students in 2020-2021.
Morgan Community College undergraduate students pay an average of $15,274 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,537 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Morgan Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,671 during the early year of their career.
Otero Junior College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Colorado ranking. La Junta, Colorado is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 413 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Otero JC are $6,563 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $22,822 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Otero JC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,585 during the early year of their career.
Trinidad State Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #9 on the list. Trinidad State Junior College is located in Trinidad, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 673 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Trinidad State Junior College are $6,631 a year. On average, students take out $12,844 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Trinidad State Junior College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,359 during the early year of their career.
Colorado Mountain College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Colorado ranking. Colorado Mountain College is a medium-sized public school situated in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. It awarded 1,446 degrees in 2020-2021.
Colorado Mountain College undergraduate students pay an average of $11,484 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $16,264 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, Colorado Mountain College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $44,074 during the early year of their career.
Community College of Denver came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Colorado ranking. Located in Denver, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,130 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CCD are $16,167 a year. On average, students take out $19,587 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, CCD graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,525 during the early year of their career.
Pueblo Community College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Colorado list. Located in Pueblo, Colorado, the medium-sized public school handed out 2,595 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Pueblo Community College are $15,958 per year. On average, students take out $16,642 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Pueblo Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $39,357 during the early years of their career.
Colorado State University - Global Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Colorado list. Colorado State University - Global Campus is located in Greenwood Village, Colorado and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,895 degrees to qualified students.
Colorado State University - Global Campus undergraduate students pay an average of $8,400 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $31,798 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Colorado State University - Global Campus graduates make an average of $59,059 annually.
Colorado State University - Global Campus also made our Best Schools in Colorado list, coming in at #2.
Northeastern Junior College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. Located in Sterling, Colorado, the small public school awarded 612 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
NJC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,544 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $15,459 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, NJC graduates make an average of $36,875 annually.
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Colorado ranking. CU Anschutz is a large public school situated in Denver, Colorado. It awarded 5,658 degrees in 2020-2021.
CU Anschutz undergraduate students pay an average of $26,376 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,012 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $251. Once they receive their degree, CU Anschutz graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,691 during the early year of their career.
CU Anschutz also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in Colorado list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Colorado State University - Fort Collins ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Colorado list. Colorado State is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7,914 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Colorado State are $31,470 per year. On average, students take out $23,304 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $397, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Colorado State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $45,865 during the early years of their career.
Colorado State also made our Best Schools in Colorado list, coming in at #3.
Read full report on Colorado State University - Fort Collins
University of Colorado Boulder ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Colorado list. This large public school is located in Boulder, Colorado, and it awarded 9,728 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at CU - Boulder are $38,358 a year. On average, students take out $20,697 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $566 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from CU - Boulder, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,893 during the early years of their career.
In addition to its best value ranking, and one of the reasons why the school is on the list, CU - Boulder is ranked #5 for overall quality in Colorado.
Colorado State University - Pueblo ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Colorado list. Colorado State University - Pueblo is located in Pueblo, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 923 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Colorado State University - Pueblo are $15,659 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $24,825 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $194, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Colorado State University - Pueblo graduates make an average of $42,728 annually.
Adams State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Colorado ranking. Adams State is located in Alamosa, Colorado and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 946 degrees to qualified students.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Adams State are $17,933 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $26,227 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Adams State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $40,945 during the early years of their career.
University of Northern Colorado came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Colorado ranking. Located in Greeley, Colorado, the fairly large public school handed out 3,009 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at University of Northern Colorado are $23,785 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,336 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $281 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, University of Northern Colorado graduates make an average of $40,180 annually.
Colorado Mesa University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #19 on the list. Colorado Mesa is located in Grand Junction, Colorado and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,887 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Colorado Mesa are $22,322 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,997 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $176, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Colorado Mesa graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,493 during the early year of their career.
Fort Lewis College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Colorado list. FLC is a public institution located in Durango, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 654 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at FLC are $19,660 a year. On average, students take out $19,889 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $223 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from FLC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $29,800 during the early years of their career.
Metropolitan State University of Denver came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Colorado ranking. This fairly large public school is located in Denver, Colorado, and it awarded 3,635 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MSU Denver are $27,502 per year. On average, students take out $28,409 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, MSU Denver graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,544 during the early year of their career.
Colorado School of Mines did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. Golden, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,676 students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Mines are $40,838 a year. On average, students take out $26,133 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $549, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Mines graduates make an average of $72,191 annually.
Mines not only placed well in our value ranking, but it is also #1 on our Best Schools in Colorado list.
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #24 on the list. Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs is a private for-profit institution located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6,864 degrees in 2020-2021.
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs undergraduate students pay an average of $12,581 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $36,481 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $170, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $49,482 during the early year of their career.
Full Colorado Technical University - Colorado Springs Report
View Best Value Schools Nationwide >
More Colorado Rankings
Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
References
- 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.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
Course Advisor provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© Course Advisor – All Rights Reserved.