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# Best Colleges in Colorado (2026)

Updated October 1, 2026

Best Colleges in Colorado lists 16 four-year institutions in Colorado. Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for Colorado, highest first.

The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on Azimuth's methodology page. [University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus](/school/university-of-colorado-denveranschutz-medical-campus/majors/) ranks 1st on this list and reports median earnings of $74,059 for its graduates four years after completing. The list includes 11 public and 5 private nonprofit schools.

Colorado State University Pueblo posts the lowest average net price at $10,051, while Colorado College shows the highest six-year completion rate at 88%. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ranks 130th on Azimuth's composite ranking among the 1,467 public and private nonprofit four-year institutions Azimuth ranks nationally.

## The ranked list

16 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years after completion | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus · Denver, CO | $74,059 | $11,900 | $6,743 | 74.7% |
|  | [University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus](/school/university-of-colorado-denveranschutz-medical-campus/majors/) reports [median earnings of $74,059](/school/university-of-colorado-denveranschutz-medical-campus/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing, and ranks 130th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 2 | University of Colorado Boulder · Boulder, CO | $76,850 | $25,346 | $14,231 | 78.1% |
|  | With a [six-year completion rate of 74%](/school/university-of-colorado-boulder/outcomes/), [University of Colorado Boulder](/school/university-of-colorado-boulder/majors/) ranks 2nd on this list. |
| 3 | Metropolitan State University of Denver · Denver, CO | $60,186 | $15,327 | $12,481 | 98.8% |
|  | [Metropolitan State University of Denver](/school/metropolitan-state-university-of-denver/majors/) [admits 99% of applicants](/school/metropolitan-state-university-of-denver/admissions/) and carries an average net price of $15,327. |
| 4 | Colorado State University-Fort Collins · Fort Collins, CO | $67,911 | $21,279 | $13,259 | 88.5% |
|  | Graduates of [Colorado State University-Fort Collins](/school/colorado-state-university-fort-collins/majors/) earn a [median of $67,911](/school/colorado-state-university-fort-collins/outcomes/) four years after completing, and the school's six-year completion rate stands at 67%. |
| 5 | Colorado School of Mines · Golden, CO | $100,252 | $28,690 | $16,849 | 60.7% |
|  | [Colorado School of Mines](/school/colorado-school-of-mines/majors/) posts [median earnings of $100,252](/school/colorado-school-of-mines/outcomes/) for its graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $28,690. |
| 6 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs · Colorado Springs, CO | $62,980 | $15,788 | $12,065 | 97.4% |
|  | An [average net price of $12,065](/school/university-of-colorado-colorado-springs/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 97% admission rate at [University of Colorado Colorado Springs](/school/university-of-colorado-colorado-springs/majors/). |
| 7 | Regis University · Denver, CO | $81,785 | $18,397 | $13,713 | 86.5% |
|  | Regis University, a private nonprofit university in Denver, reports median earnings of $81,785 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 8 | University of Northern Colorado · Greeley, CO | $56,930 | $17,760 | $12,695 | 85.9% |
|  | University of Northern Colorado graduates 51% of its students within six years and reports an average net price of $17,760. |
| 9 | Colorado State University Pueblo · Pueblo, CO | $55,898 | $10,051 | $9,374 | 94.9% |
|  | With an average net price of $10,051, Colorado State University Pueblo is the lowest on this list and reports median earnings of $55,898 for its graduates four years after completing. |
| 10 | Adams State University · Alamosa, CO | $52,621 | $12,980 | $9,947 | Not reported |
|  | Adams State University shows a six-year completion rate of 39% and an average net price of $9,947 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 11 | Colorado College · Colorado Springs, CO | $56,959 | $33,375 | $9,217 | 18.5% |
|  | Colorado College admits 18% of applicants, the most selective rate on the page, and graduates 88% of its students within six years. |
| 12 | University of Denver · Denver, CO | $78,504 | $36,131 | $20,097 | 77.8% |
|  | University of Denver reports median earnings of $78,504 for its graduates four years after completing, and an average net price of $20,097 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 13 | Colorado Christian University · Lakewood, CO | $58,576 | $29,500 | $26,010 | Not reported |
|  | Colorado Christian University reports median earnings of $58,576 for its graduates four years after completing, alongside a six-year completion rate of 64%. |
| 14 | Fort Lewis College · Durango, CO | $46,601 | $17,296 | $18,622 | 77.3% |
|  | Fort Lewis College admits 77% of applicants and shows an average net price of $17,296. |
| 15 | Western Colorado University · Gunnison, CO | $50,666 | $16,425 | $11,490 | 99.7% |
|  | Western Colorado University ranks 15th on this list, with an average net price of $11,490 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 16 | Naropa University · Boulder, CO | $41,627 | $29,179 | $21,457 | 100.0% |
|  | Naropa University posts a six-year completion rate of 37% and median earnings of $41,627 for its graduates four years after completing. |

## How this list is ordered

Schools are ordered by Azimuth's overall score for Colorado, highest first. The score combines four pillars, weighted 30% return, 30% mobility, 20% access and 20% affordability, as set out on [Azimuth's methodology page](/methodology/#composite). The score draws on institution-level data for federally aided completers who were working and not enrolled four years after completing, across all fields. It does not measure fit or teaching quality. The list includes 11 public and 5 private nonprofit schools. University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus ranks 1st on this list and 130th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions, while University of Colorado Boulder reports median earnings of $76,850 for its graduates four years after completing.