# Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 34 | Category: By State (Affordable)
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-colorado

## Methodology

Ranked by lowest net price in Colorado

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

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.

## Key Findings

- Pikes Peak State College has the lowest net price at $6,007 and a 22% graduation rate.
- Colorado State University Pueblo graduates earn an average of $55,563, but face $21,500 in debt.
- The average earnings across these colleges is $49,343, highlighting potential financial outcomes for graduates.
- Graduation rates range significantly, from 22% at Pikes Peak to 48% at Lamar Community College.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Colorado Mountain College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colorado-mountain-college) | Glenwood Springs, CO | 27% | $44,127 | $7,813 | $9,000 | 0.2x |
| 2 | [Colorado State University Pueblo](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colorado-state-university-pueblo) | Pueblo, CO | 39% | $55,563 | $10,051 | $21,500 | 0.39x |
| 3 | [Pikes Peak State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pikes-peak-state-college) | Colorado Springs, CO | 22% | $40,796 | $6,007 | $9,000 | 0.22x |
| 4 | [Lamar Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lamar-community-college) | Lamar, CO | 48% | $38,719 | $9,161 | $8,750 | 0.23x |
| 5 | [Community College of Aurora](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/community-college-of-aurora) | Aurora, CO | 31% | $44,592 | $8,656 | $10,500 | 0.24x |
| 6 | [University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-colorado-denveranschutz-medical-campus) | Denver, CO | 47% | $64,270 | $11,900 | $20,500 | 0.32x |
| 7 | [Morgan Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/morgan-community-college) | Fort  Morgan, CO | 45% | $39,429 | $9,266 | $8,501 | 0.22x |
| 8 | [Red Rocks Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/red-rocks-community-college) | Lakewood, CO | 35% | $46,288 | $9,044 | $9,500 | 0.21x |
| 9 | [Community College of Denver](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/community-college-of-denver) | Denver, CO | 18% | $39,095 | $9,450 | $12,495 | 0.32x |
| 10 | [Aims Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/aims-community-college) | Greeley, CO | 37% | $41,887 | $11,463 | $6,844 | 0.16x |
| 11 | [Adams State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/adams-state-university) | Alamosa, CO | 36% | $44,372 | $12,980 | $19,500 | 0.44x |
| 12 | [Trinidad State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/trinidad-state-college) | Trinidad, CO | 55% | $36,475 | $10,772 | $8,908 | 0.24x |
| 13 | [Pickens Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pickens-technical-college) | Aurora, CO | 68% | $39,210 | $6,600 | N/A | N/A |
| 14 | [Otero College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/otero-college) | La Junta, CO | 37% | $39,018 | $11,103 | $10,250 | 0.26x |
| 15 | [Emily Griffith Technical College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emily-griffith-technical-college) | Denver, CO | 92% | $35,487 | $7,197 | N/A | N/A |
| 16 | [Arapahoe Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/arapahoe-community-college) | Littleton, CO | 28% | $48,341 | $11,571 | $11,884 | 0.25x |
| 17 | [Colorado Mesa University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colorado-mesa-university) | Grand Junction, CO | 41% | $45,823 | $15,103 | $22,000 | 0.48x |
| 18 | [Metropolitan State University of Denver](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/metropolitan-state-university-of-denver) | Denver, CO | 31% | $52,093 | $15,327 | $21,500 | 0.41x |
| 19 | [Colorado Northwestern Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colorado-northwestern-community-college) | Rangely, CO | 34% | $43,526 | $12,131 | $12,000 | 0.28x |
| 20 | [Northeastern Junior College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northeastern-junior-college) | Sterling, CO | 55% | $39,893 | $13,801 | $9,376 | 0.24x |
| 21 | [Front Range Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/front-range-community-college) | Westminster, CO | 33% | $45,910 | $13,031 | $12,251 | 0.27x |
| 22 | [Pueblo Community College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pueblo-community-college) | Pueblo, CO | 34% | $37,434 | $12,045 | $10,000 | 0.27x |
| 23 | [Western Colorado University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-colorado-university) | Gunnison, CO | 51% | $46,833 | $16,425 | $20,250 | 0.43x |
| 24 | [University of Colorado Colorado Springs](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-colorado-colorado-springs) | Colorado Springs, CO | 46% | $54,659 | $15,788 | $20,000 | 0.37x |
| 25 | [Fort Lewis College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fort-lewis-college) | Durango, CO | 39% | $46,349 | $17,296 | $18,389 | 0.4x |
| 26 | [University of Northern Colorado](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-northern-colorado) | Greeley, CO | 51% | $52,231 | $17,760 | $20,470 | 0.39x |
| 27 | [Regis University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/regis-university) | Denver, CO | 61% | $72,105 | $18,397 | $25,000 | 0.35x |
| 28 | [Colorado State University-Fort Collins](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colorado-state-university-fort-collins) | Fort Collins, CO | 67% | $60,543 | $21,279 | $20,000 | 0.33x |
| 29 | [University of Colorado Boulder](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-colorado-boulder) | Boulder, CO | 75% | $69,738 | $25,346 | $19,500 | 0.28x |
| 30 | [Colorado School of Mines](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colorado-school-of-mines) | Golden, CO | 81% | $97,335 | $28,690 | $23,000 | 0.24x |
| 31 | [Naropa University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/naropa-university) | Boulder, CO | 42% | $28,720 | $29,179 | $24,712 | 0.86x |
| 32 | [Colorado Christian University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colorado-christian-university) | Lakewood, CO | 60% | $50,416 | $29,500 | $28,312 | 0.56x |
| 33 | [Colorado College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colorado-college) | Colorado Springs, CO | 87% | $65,222 | $33,375 | $18,257 | 0.28x |
| 34 | [University of Denver](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-denver) | Denver, CO | 77% | $71,155 | $36,131 | $21,844 | 0.31x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/most-affordable-colleges-colorado

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.