Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado
- 34
- Schools
- $49,343
- Avg. Earnings
- 48%
- Avg. Graduation
- $15,401
- Avg. Net Price
- $16,062
- 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: Emily Griffith Technical College graduates 92% of its students, well above the 48% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Aims Community College: graduates owe only 0.16× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Colorado Mountain College ($44,127 earnings), not the highest earner, Colorado School of Mines ($97,335). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- 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.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Pikes Peak State College and Emily Griffith Technical College. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
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 $46K 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 Mountain College #1 overall | $44,127 ▼ -11% vs avg | $7,813 | 27% | 78 |
| 2 Colorado State University Pueblo #2 overall | $55,563 ▲ +13% vs avg | $10,051 | 39% | 76 |
| 3 Pikes Peak State College #3 overall | $40,796 ▼ -17% vs avg | $6,007 | 22% | 75 |
| $38,719 ▼ -22% vs avg | $9,161 | 48% | 75 | |
| $44,592 ▼ -10% vs avg | $8,656 | 31% | 74 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado
This analysis ranks 34 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $49,343 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 48% and an average net price of $15,401.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Pikes Peak State College — Net Price: $6,007 | Graduation Rate: 22%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Emily Griffith Technical College — 92% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Colorado School of Mines — Median alumni earnings: $97,335
Our Analysis Found
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$45,867
Median earnings (10yr)
44%
Median graduation rate
$12,556
Median net price
1.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Value rankings exist to show where students get the most for their money. The answer is rarely the cheapest school or the one with the highest earnings. It is the intersection of low cost and strong outcomes, which is what our methodology is built to surface. The schools at the top of this list show that affordability and results can coexist.
Across the 34 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $45,867 ten years after they first enrolled. The median graduation rate is 44%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $12,556 a year, with about $18,323 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 25% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.4%.
The schools that win on value are the ones where net price and earnings form the tightest ratio. Median net price runs $12,556 and graduates earn a median of $45,867. That ratio, not prestige or selectivity, is the truest measure of what a degree is worth.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Colorado Mountain College lands at #1 with a 78/100 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, 11% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Colorado State University Pueblo lands at #2 with a 76/100 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, 13% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Pikes Peak State College lands at #3 with a 75/100 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, 17% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Lamar Community College lands at #4 with a 75/100 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, 22% 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 #5
Community College of Aurora lands at #5 with a 74/100 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, 10% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Denver, CO · 75% accepted · $11,900 net
Why it ranks #6
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus lands at #6 with a 72/100 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, 30% 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 #7
Morgan Community College lands at #7 with a 71/100 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, 20% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Red Rocks Community College lands at #8 with a 71/100 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, 6% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Community College of Denver lands at #9 with a 70/100 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, 21% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Aims Community College lands at #10 with a 70/100 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, 15% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Adams State University lands at #11 with a 70/100 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, 10% 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
Why it ranks #12
Trinidad State College lands at #12 with a 70/100 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, 26% 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
Pickens Technical College lands at #13 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (87/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (32/100). Graduates earn a median $39,210 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,600 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
Otero College lands at #14 with a 69/100 composite, led by value per dollar (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $39,018 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,103 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 #15
Emily Griffith Technical College lands at #15 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (26/100). Graduates earn a median $35,487 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,197 a year, well under 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 #16
Arapahoe Community College lands at #16 with a 68/100 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, 2% 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 #17
Colorado Mesa University lands at #17 with a 67/100 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, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,103 a year. 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 #18
Metropolitan State University of Denver lands at #18 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, 6% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Colorado Northwestern Community College lands at #19 with a 67/100 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, 12% 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 #20
Northeastern Junior College lands at #20 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $39,893 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,801 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 #21
Front Range Community College lands at #21 with a 67/100 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, 7% 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 #22
Pueblo Community College lands at #22 with a 66/100 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, 24% 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 #23
Western Colorado University lands at #23 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, 5% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Colorado Springs, CO · 97% accepted · $15,788 net
Why it ranks #24
University of Colorado Colorado Springs lands at #24 with a 65/100 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, 11% 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 #25
Fort Lewis College lands at #25 with a 63/100 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, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,296 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
University of Northern Colorado lands at #26 with a 63/100 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, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,760 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Regis University lands at #27 with a 61/100 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, 46% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Fort Collins, CO · 89% accepted · $21,279 net
Why it ranks #28
Colorado State University-Fort Collins lands at #28 with a 54/100 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, 23% 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 #29
University of Colorado Boulder lands at #29 with a 47/100 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, 41% 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 #30
Colorado School of Mines lands at #30 with a 42/100 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, 97% 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 #31
Naropa University lands at #31 with a 38/100 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, 42% 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 #32
Colorado Christian University lands at #32 with a 38/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Colorado College lands at #33 with a 33/100 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, 32% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
University of Denver lands at #34 with a 27/100 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, 44% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 34 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Finding an affordable college can be a crucial step for many students and their families. In Colorado, a number of schools stand out for their low net prices, making higher education more accessible. With net prices ranging from just over $6,000 to around $10,000, these institutions could provide a solid foundation for students looking to minimize debt while still pursuing their degrees.
What separates these colleges from others in Colorado isn't just their low costs; it's also their graduation rates, potential earnings, and student debt levels. For instance, the average graduation rate across these schools is 48%, and graduates can expect to earn an average of $49,343 annually. As you explore the list below, consider how each school's outcomes align with your educational and financial goals.
Take, for example, Pikes Peak State College and Colorado State University Pueblo. Pikes Peak graduates see earnings of $40,796 and have a graduation rate of 22%, with a net price of $6,007. In contrast, Colorado State University Pueblo has higher earnings of $55,563, but a significantly higher net price of $10,051 and a graduation rate of 39%. This illustrates the trade-offs between cost, earnings, and completion rates that students must weigh carefully.
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
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 17 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.4%. Colorado School of Mines leads the group at 2.5%, with Emily Griffith Technical College (2.4%) and Lamar Community College (2.2%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 8.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Lamar Community College leads at 21.7%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 22.2% across this list. Colorado School of Mines posts the highest success rate at 64%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.59 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Colorado College reaches 1.88, the highest on the list.
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 interesting contrasts. For instance, while Colorado State University Pueblo offers higher earnings potential at $55,563, it comes with a much steeper debt load of $21,500 compared to Pikes Peak State College, which keeps debt to just $9,000 but has lower earnings of $40,796. This highlights the balance between immediate financial burden and long-term earning potential that students must consider.
After reviewing the list, it’s essential to match these data points with your personal priorities. If minimizing debt is your primary concern, schools like Pikes Peak or Lamar Community College may be appealing. However, if potential earnings after graduation are your main focus, you might lean towards Colorado State University Pueblo despite the higher cost. Think about factors such as location, specific programs offered, and campus culture, which can significantly impact your college experience.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life starts with informed choices. A student’s decision to attend an affordable college can lead to lower debt and better financial outcomes down the road. For one family, choosing Lamar Community College could mean a manageable debt burden of $8,750 while still allowing their child to earn a respectable salary. These decisions shape futures and set the stage for a sustainable life after graduation.
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
Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado ranking? +
Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, CO ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $44,127 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 27% 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 $49,343 average across the 34 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? +
Emily Griffith Technical College has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 92%, 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 $15,401 a year across the 34 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 Most Affordable 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 34 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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