Colorado Colleges Summary

Students have many options when it comes to college in Colorado, from state universities in large metropolitan areas like Denver to small community colleges in rural parts of the state. In total, more than 100 public and private postsecondary schools are located in "The Centennial State," including dozens of career and technical schools.

With 13 colleges and 39 locations, the Colorado Community College System is the state's largest postsecondary education system. In addition to associate degree programs, several colleges in the system also offer bachelor's degree programs, and Red Rocks Community College offers a master's degree program in physician assisting.

There 13 four-year Colorado colleges, including those in the Colorado State University and the University of Colorado systems. The University of Colorado at Boulder is the only public research institution in the Rocky Mountains that belongs to the prestigious Association of American Universities. The CSU Global Campus is an online university serving students in Colorado and across the globe.

Transfer and Reciprocity Agreements in Colorado

State initiatives for higher education include Complete College Colorado!, which helps first-time and returning students complete degree requirements through the transfer of general education courses.

Colorado's participation in the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, plus reciprocity arrangements with neighboring states, New Mexico and Nebraska, means that eligible Colorado residents may be able to pay reduced or in-state tuition rates at specific institutions.

Students can learn more about college and universities in Colorado by visiting the Colorado Department of Higher Education and College in Colorado.

Sources:

  • Colorado Community College System Fact Sheet, https://www.cccs.edu/about-cccs/college-fact-sheets/colorado-community-college-system-fact-sheet/
  • About, University of Colorado at Boulder, https://www.colorado.edu/about
Education Institutes in Colorado
Total Number of Educational Institutes
112
Total Enrollment in all institutes
347,917
Number of Public Educational Institutes
34
Number of Private For-Profit Institutes
57
Number of Private Non-Profit Institutes
18
Graduation Rate
13.92%
Total Graduates With Bachelors Degree
14,871
On Campus and Online Programs in Colorado
Number of Institutes Offering on-campus programs
29
Number of Institutes Offering on-line programs
14
Number of Institutes Offering both
69

Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/