Rankings / By State
Best Bachelor's Programs in Colorado
- 18
- Schools
- $57,496
- Avg. Earnings
- 56%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,855
- Avg. Net Price
- $21,455
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 18 schools run from $28,720 to $97,335, a 3.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Colorado State University Pueblo delivers the most for the money: roughly $55,563 in median earnings against $10,051 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, Colorado State University Pueblo ($10,051 net price), still posts $55,563 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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United States Air Force Academy graduates 88% of its students, versus a 56% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Colorado School of Mines carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.24× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Colorado State University Pueblo costs $10,051 a year and University of Denver costs $36,131. Yet their graduates earn $55,563 and $71,155, nowhere near the $26,080 price gap.
- On value, Colorado State University Pueblo beats Colorado School of Mines: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: United States Air Force Academy finishes 88% of students while Metropolitan State University of Denver finishes 31%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with Colorado State University Pueblo and United States Air Force Academy. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on the outcomes that actually compound — graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value — using federal tax-records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $55K ten years out.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-12
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Colorado School of Mines #1 overall | $97,335 ▲ +69% vs avg | $28,690 | 81% | 71 |
| 2 Colorado College #2 overall | $65,222 ▲ +13% vs avg | $33,375 | 87% | 70 |
| 3 Regis University #3 overall | $72,105 ▲ +25% vs avg | $18,397 | 61% | 67 |
| $71,155 ▲ +24% vs avg | $36,131 | 77% | 67 | |
| $52,231 ▼ -9% vs avg | $17,760 | 51% | 67 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Bachelor's Programs in Colorado
This analysis ranks 18 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $57,496 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 56% and an average net price of $20,855.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Colorado State University Pueblo — Net Price: $10,051 | Graduation Rate: 39%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: United States Air Force Academy — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Colorado School of Mines — Median alumni earnings: $97,335
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Colorado Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Colorado?
$54,659
Median earnings (10yr)
51%
Median graduation rate
$17,760
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Colorado, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
The median graduation rate across these 18 schools is 51%. Median graduate earnings reach $54,659 ten years after enrollment, roughly $6,659 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $17,760 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $20,500. Some 27% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.3%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Colorado pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $17,760 and median earnings of $54,659 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Colorado School of Mines lands at #1 with a 71/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $97,335 a decade after enrolling, 69% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,690 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Colorado College lands at #2 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $65,222 a decade after enrolling, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,375 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Regis University lands at #3 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $72,105 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,397 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
University of Denver lands at #4 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $71,155 a decade after enrolling, 24% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,131 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
University of Northern Colorado lands at #5 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $52,231 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,760 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Metropolitan State University of Denver lands at #6 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $52,093 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,327 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Western Colorado University lands at #7 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $46,833 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,425 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Fort Lewis College lands at #8 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $46,349 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,296 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Colorado Mesa University lands at #9 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $45,823 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,103 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Denver, CO · 75% accepted · $11,900 net
Why it ranks #10
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus lands at #10 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $64,270 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,900 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
University of Colorado Boulder lands at #11 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $69,738 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,346 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Adams State University lands at #12 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,372 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,980 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Fort Collins, CO · 89% accepted · $21,279 net
Why it ranks #13
Colorado State University-Fort Collins lands at #13 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (60/100). Graduates earn a median $60,543 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,279 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Colorado Springs, CO · 97% accepted · $15,788 net
Why it ranks #14
University of Colorado Colorado Springs lands at #14 with a 59/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by social mobility (58/100). Graduates earn a median $54,659 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,788 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Colorado State University Pueblo lands at #15 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (71/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,563 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,051 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Colorado Christian University lands at #16 with a 56/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $50,416 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,500 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
United States Air Force Academy lands at #17 with a 55/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by social mobility (68/100). Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Naropa University lands at #18 with a 45/100 composite, led by social mobility (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $28,720 a decade after enrolling, 50% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,179 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 17 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a bachelor's program in Colorado can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options to consider. With 17 schools to explore, each offers distinct pathways to launch a career. One figure stands out: the average earnings for graduates from these programs is $57,496, a solid starting point for understanding potential outcomes.
The schools on this list separate themselves through key metrics like earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and mobility. For instance, the Colorado School of Mines leads the pack with an impressive $97,335 in earnings and an 81% graduation rate. As you review the rankings below, consider how these factors align with your own priorities and future goals.
Take Colorado College and the University of Colorado Denver as examples. While Colorado College offers a higher graduation rate at 87%, its net price is also steeper at $33,375 compared to Denver's more affordable $11,900. This contrast highlights a significant tradeoff: investing more upfront for potentially better completion rates or opting for a more economical option with lower graduation success.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 11 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.3%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Colorado School of Mines leads the group at 2.5%, with Colorado Mesa University (2%) and Adams State University (1.9%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 5.8% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Adams State University enrolls the most, at 12.9%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 27.1% across the list, peaking at 64% at Colorado School of Mines.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.68, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Colorado College is highest at 1.88.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
The data reveals an interesting pattern between Colorado College and the University of Colorado Boulder. Colorado College's higher graduation rate of 87% compared to Boulder's 75% suggests a stronger support system or program rigor that aids students in completing their degrees. However, Boulder graduates still achieve respectable earnings of $69,738, showing that a solid program can yield significant income even with a lower completion rate.
Now that you've explored the rankings, it’s time to consider your own priorities. Weigh the financial implications—look closely at net prices and debt levels alongside earning potential. Think about the campus culture and the specific programs offered. A school that excels in one area may not be the best fit for you personally. Make a list of what's most important, and don’t hesitate to reach out to current students or alumni for their insights.
Ultimately, the stakes are high when it comes to choosing a college. This decision shapes not just your education but your long-term financial health and career trajectory. Each family has its own unique story and circumstances, and understanding this data can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your goals for a stable, successful future.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Bachelor's Programs in Colorado: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Bachelor's Programs in Colorado ranking? +
Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Bachelor's Programs in Colorado ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $97,335 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 81% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Colorado School of Mines posts the highest median earnings on this list: $97,335 ten years after enrollment, well above the $57,496 average across the 17 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Colorado State University Pueblo leads: graduates earn a median $55,563 against net price of about $10,051 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
United States Air Force Academy has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 88%, compared with a 56% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $20,855 a year across the 17 ranked schools with cost data. Colorado State University Pueblo is among the most affordable at roughly $10,051. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Bachelor's Programs in Colorado ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 18 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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