Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Colorado
- 21
- Schools
- $54,740
- Avg. Earnings
- 52%
- Avg. Graduation
- $18,635
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,174
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $28,720 at the low end to $97,335 at the top. That 3.4× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Pikes Peak State College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $40,796 against $6,007 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Pikes Peak State College, at $6,007 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: United States Air Force Academy graduates 88% of its students, well above the 52% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Pikes Peak State College: graduates owe only 0.22× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Pikes Peak State College ($6,007/yr) and University of Denver ($36,131/yr) produce graduates earning $40,796 and $71,155 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $30,124 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Pikes Peak State College outperforms Colorado School of Mines: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: United States Air Force Academy graduates 88% of its students versus 18% at Community College of Denver. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
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 Pikes Peak State College 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 outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from 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 $52K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
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 ▲ +78% vs avg | $28,690 | 81% | 73 |
| 2 Colorado College #2 overall | $65,222 ▲ +19% vs avg | $33,375 | 87% | 72 |
| 3 Regis University #3 overall | $72,105 ▲ +32% vs avg | $18,397 | 61% | 70 |
| $71,155 ▲ +30% vs avg | $36,131 | 77% | 69 | |
| $52,231 ▼ -5% vs avg | $17,760 | 51% | 69 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Colorado
This analysis ranks 21 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $54,740 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 52% and an average net price of $18,635.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Pikes Peak State College — Net Price: $6,007 | Graduation Rate: 22%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: United States Air Force Academy — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Colorado School of Mines — Median alumni earnings: $97,335
Data Insight
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?
$52,162
Median earnings (10yr)
48%
Median graduation rate
$16,861
Median net price
1.3%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Colorado serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
The median graduation rate across these 21 schools is 48%. Median graduate earnings reach $52,162 ten years after enrollment, roughly $4,162 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $16,861 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $20,125. Some 27% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 1.3%.
For Colorado, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $16,861 and graduates earning a median of $52,162, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
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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 73/100 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, 78% 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 72/100 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, 19% 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 70/100 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, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,397 a year. 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 69/100 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, 30% 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 69/100 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, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,760 a year. 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 68/100 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, 5% 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 67/100 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, 14% 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 67/100 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, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,296 a year. 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
Lamar Community College lands at #9 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $38,719 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,161 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Adams State University lands at #10 with a 64/100 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, 19% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Denver, CO · 75% accepted · $11,900 net
Why it ranks #11
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus lands at #11 with a 63/100 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, 17% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
University of Colorado Boulder lands at #12 with a 62/100 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, 27% 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
Fort Collins, CO · 89% accepted · $21,279 net
Why it ranks #13
Colorado State University-Fort Collins lands at #13 with a 61/100 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, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,279 a year, above the field. 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 #14
Colorado Christian University lands at #14 with a 59/100 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, 8% 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 #15
Pikes Peak State College lands at #15 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $40,796 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,007 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
Colorado Springs, CO · 97% accepted · $15,788 net
Why it ranks #16
University of Colorado Colorado Springs lands at #16 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, 0% above 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 #17
Colorado State University Pueblo lands at #17 with a 58/100 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, 2% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Community College of Aurora lands at #18 with a 55/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Graduates earn a median $44,592 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,656 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 #19
United States Air Force Academy lands at #19 with a 52/100 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 #20
Naropa University lands at #20 with a 47/100 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, 48% 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
Why it ranks #21
Community College of Denver lands at #21 with a 46/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (37/100). Graduates earn a median $39,095 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,450 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 20 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
When exploring colleges in Colorado, families are often looking for a blend of strong academic programs and promising post-graduation outcomes. With the average earnings of graduates from these institutions standing at $55,213, many students are weighing their options based on both financial and educational metrics. This list highlights 20 colleges that excel in these areas, providing a solid foundation for future success.
The schools highlighted here differ significantly in key areas like graduation rates, average earnings, debt levels, and overall completion rates. For example, Colorado School of Mines leads with impressive earnings of $97,335 and a graduation rate of 81%. In contrast, the University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus has lower earnings at $64,270 and a graduation rate of just 47%. These figures illustrate that while many schools can provide a degree, not all are equally effective at preparing students for successful careers.
Take Colorado College and Colorado State University-Fort Collins as an example. Colorado College has a higher graduation rate of 87% compared to CSU's 67%, but it comes with a higher net price of $33,375 versus CSU's $21,279. This contrast highlights the importance of balancing financial investment with potential return, giving families specific metrics to consider in their decision-making process.
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 Lamar Community College (2.2%) and Adams State University (1.9%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 7% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Lamar Community College enrolls the most, at 21.7%, 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 25.9% 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 1.65, 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
Looking closely at the data reveals a key pattern: Colorado School of Mines outperforms the University of Colorado Denver on critical metrics. With graduation rates at 81% and average earnings of $97,335, Mines offers a compelling return on investment. In contrast, UC Denver’s 47% graduation rate and average earnings of $64,270 suggest that students may face more challenges after graduation.
As you sift through these 20 options, consider how the numbers align with your own priorities. Are you looking for a program with a strong graduation rate, or is financial investment more critical? Assess how each school fits your academic goals, campus culture, and financial situation. This personalized approach will help clarify which institution may be the best fit for your future.
The stakes are clear when we consider the data: a college degree can lead to significant earnings and career opportunities. A family choosing between Colorado College and Colorado State University-Fort Collins may look at the $18,257 debt from Colorado College compared to CSU's $20,000. This decision isn’t just about numbers; it reflects a future path and the potential for financial stability, making it crucial to weigh each option thoughtfully.
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 Colleges in Colorado: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Colorado ranking? +
Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges 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 $54,740 average across the 20 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, Pikes Peak State College leads: graduates earn a median $40,796 against net price of about $6,007 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 52% 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 $18,635 a year across the 20 ranked schools with cost data. Pikes Peak State College is among the most affordable at roughly $6,007. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges 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 21 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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