Rankings / By State
Best Master's Programs in Colorado
- 29
- Schools
- $51,455
- Avg. Earnings
- 48%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,683
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,968
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 29 schools run from $28,720 to $97,335, a 3.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Pikes Peak State College delivers the most for the money: roughly $40,796 in median earnings against $6,007 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Pikes Peak State College is the lowest-cost school here at $6,007 a year in net price.
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United States Air Force Academy graduates 88% of its students, versus a 48% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Aims Community College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.16× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Pikes Peak State College costs $6,007 a year and University of Denver costs $36,131. Yet their graduates earn $40,796 and $71,155, nowhere near the $30,124 price gap.
- On value, Pikes Peak State College 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 Community College of Denver finishes 18%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Pikes Peak State College and United States Air Force Academy. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
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 $47K 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 2026-07-13
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 ▲ +89% vs avg | $28,690 | 81% | 71 |
| 2 Colorado College #2 overall | $65,222 ▲ +27% vs avg | $33,375 | 87% | 70 |
| 3 Regis University #3 overall | $72,105 ▲ +40% vs avg | $18,397 | 61% | 67 |
| $71,155 ▲ +38% vs avg | $36,131 | 77% | 67 | |
| $52,231 ▲ +2% 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 Master's Programs in Colorado
This analysis ranks 29 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $51,455 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 48% and an average net price of $16,683.
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
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?
$46,591
Median earnings (10yr)
42%
Median graduation rate
$14,067
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.
Start with the medians across these 29 schools. Graduates earn a median of $46,591 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 42%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $14,067 a year with about $19,500 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 25% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 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 $14,067 and median earnings of $46,591 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
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 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, 89% 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, 27% 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, 40% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,397 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 #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, 38% 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, 2% above 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.
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, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,327 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 #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, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,425 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 #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, 10% 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
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, 11% 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, 25% 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, 36% 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
Trinidad State College lands at #12 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (63/100). Graduates earn a median $36,475 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,772 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 #13
Colorado Mountain College lands at #13 with a 62/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (34/100). Graduates earn a median $44,127 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,813 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 #14
Colorado Northwestern Community College lands at #14 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $43,526 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,131 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
Why it ranks #15
Adams State University lands at #15 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, 14% 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 #16
Colorado State University-Fort Collins lands at #16 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, 18% 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 #17
Pikes Peak State College lands at #17 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, 21% 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 #18
University of Colorado Colorado Springs lands at #18 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, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $15,788 a year. 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 #19
Front Range Community College lands at #19 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Graduates earn a median $45,910 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,031 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 #20
Colorado State University Pueblo lands at #20 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, 8% 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 #21
Aims Community College lands at #21 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by social mobility (43/100). Graduates earn a median $41,887 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,463 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 #22
Arapahoe Community College lands at #22 with a 58/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (35/100). Graduates earn a median $48,341 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,571 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 #23
Morgan Community College lands at #23 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (47/100). Graduates earn a median $39,429 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,266 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 #24
Red Rocks Community College lands at #24 with a 57/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by social mobility (48/100). Graduates earn a median $46,288 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,044 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 #25
Colorado Christian University lands at #25 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, 2% 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 #26
United States Air Force Academy lands at #26 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 #27
Pueblo Community College lands at #27 with a 51/100 composite, led by value per dollar (76/100) and pulled down by social mobility (36/100). Graduates earn a median $37,434 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,045 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 #28
Community College of Denver lands at #28 with a 48/100 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, 24% 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
Why it ranks #29
Naropa University lands at #29 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, 44% 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 28 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a master's program in Colorado means weighing options among schools that excel in graduate outcomes. With 26 master's programs in the state, prospective students face a range of choices that could shape their future careers and earnings. The average earnings for graduates from these programs sit at $52,128, providing a solid benchmark as we consider the best options.
The schools on this list stand out based on key metrics: earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and overall completion rates. It's important to note how these factors affect graduates' success in the job market. For example, while some schools may have higher graduation rates, others may offer significantly greater earning potential, which can influence long-term financial stability.
Take Colorado School of Mines and University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, for instance. Colorado School of Mines graduates earn an impressive $97,335 on average, while Denver's graduates earn $64,270. The tradeoff here is evident: Mines has a higher net price at $28,690, but its earning potential suggests a strong return on investment. This contrast highlights the importance of aligning personal financial situations with academic goals as you explore your options.
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 14 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 Colorado Northwestern Community College (1.9%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 6.3% 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 24.7% 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 1.63, 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
Many people might overlook the stark differences in outcomes among the master's programs in Colorado. For example, Colorado School of Mines not only leads in average earnings at $97,335 but also boasts an 81% graduation rate. In contrast, the University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus has a much lower graduation rate of 47% and average earnings of $64,270. This discrepancy illustrates how a school's focus on supporting student success can dramatically affect post-graduation outcomes.
Now that you've explored various programs, consider how these findings relate to your own priorities. Think about what matters most: Is it location, the specific program's reputation, campus culture, or financial implications? Weighing these factors against the data you’ve just seen will help you determine the best fit for your educational and career goals.
The data from these programs speaks volumes about the potential pathways to stable careers post-graduation. One family's decision to choose Colorado School of Mines, with its high earning potential and supportive graduation rates, could mean a significant difference in their financial future compared to a decision to attend a different institution with lower outcomes. This choice could lead to a successful career, shaping not only the life of the student but also their family's stability for years to come.
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 Master's Programs in Colorado: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Master's Programs in Colorado ranking? +
Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Master'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 $51,455 average across the 28 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 48% 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 $16,683 a year across the 28 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 Master'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 29 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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