Best Online Colleges in Colorado

Q: How many online colleges are in Colorado?

According to Colorado's Department of Higher Education, you can choose from 34 different public and private institutions throughout the state. Many of these offer online classes — or full online degrees — to help make earning a degree easier for every learner.

Q: Can you go to college for free in Colorado?

In some cases, yes. The Career Advance Colorado program provides free tuition to students who agree to use their degree to fill the need in high-demand careers. This program exists through the Colorado Community College System and includes degrees focused on construction, early education, education, firefighting, forestry, law enforcement, and nursing. You should also submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid to see what federal grants you are eligible for.

Q: What is the easiest online college to get into in Colorado?

Colorado State University Global admits 97% of all applicants, making it a great option if you want to increase your chances of getting in. Metropolitan State University of Denver, another public four-year institution, has a 98% acceptance rate.

Q: What is the #1 college in Colorado?

The University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado School of Mines, and University of Colorado Denver are often considered some of the top schools in Colorado. Colorado State University Global is one of the top online colleges in the state, with an annual enrollment of nearly 20,000 learners. You can choose from a wide variety of bachelor's and master's degrees, giving you the flexibility needed to find the right program.

Considering an online degree? Learn more about the best online colleges in Colorado, including scholarships and career opportunities.

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Updated April 16, 2024

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Whether you’re drawn to the endless sunshine of Denver, the outdoorsy opportunities in Boulder, or the history of Pueblo, Colorado offers endless opportunities for beautiful locations — and top colleges.

Many of the schools throughout the state provide online degree pathways, making it easy for students to pursue a quality education no matter their location. Online colleges in Colorado can provide the same educational experience virtually.

Online programs offer maximum flexibility without sacrificing quality, but it’s important to make sure you take time to research your options thoroughly and make an informed decision. We’ll help you learn more about what’s available in the Centennial State.

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In this Article

Best Online Colleges in Colorado

We use trusted sources like Peterson's Data and the National Center for Education Statistics to inform the data for these schools. from our partners appear among these rankings and are indicated as such.

How We Rank Schools

To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.

To qualify for our rankings lists, each school must be an accredited public or private, nonprofit institution. Each eligible school was then ranked based on a formula measuring:

2024

Affordability (30%)
Student outcomes (30%)
Reputation (20%)
Diversity and social mobility (20%)

In addition, we only included colleges with graduation rates in the top third of all online colleges.

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO4 yearCampus + Online

$9,903

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$29,861

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

91%

Acceptance Rate

50%

Online Enrollment

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $430
Out-of-State | $1,125

Credits to Graduate: 120

At Colorado State University, students experience the same academic programs taught by the same faculty as in-person students. The program is designed to combine the college's academic excellence with online learning.

Students may choose from online programs toward their bachelor's, master's, or Ph.D. in addition to graduate certificates and professional education. There were over 4,500 students enrolled in Colorado State's online program in 2023.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,834

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,564

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

33,400

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,903

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,861

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$9,903

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,861

Acceptance Rate

91%

Online Enrollment

50%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$10,834

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$26,564

Retention Rate

86%

Students Enrolled

33,400

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $430
Out-of-State | $1,125

Credits to Graduate: 120

University of Denver

Denver, CO4 yearCampus + Online

$53,640

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,640

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

78%

Acceptance Rate

40%

Online Enrollment

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,335
Out-of-State | $1,335

Credits to Graduate: 183

The University of Denver offers a range of full degree programs and certificates through its online program. Some of the certificates can be completed in as little as six weeks. There are students from over 50 states and 10 countries enrolled in the online program.

You can choose from bachelor's and master's programs, as well as a bachelor's degree completion program. The school limits class size for students so that they're able to better connect with faculty on a more personal level.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$53,640

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,640

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

13,738

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,640

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,640

University of Denver

Denver, CO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$53,640

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,640

Acceptance Rate

78%

Online Enrollment

40%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$53,640

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$53,640

Retention Rate

88%

Students Enrolled

13,738

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,335
Out-of-State | $1,335

Credits to Graduate: 183

Regis University

Denver, CO4 yearCampus + Online

$39,260

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$39,260

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

81%

Acceptance Rate

64%

Online Enrollment

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,361
Out-of-State | $1,361

Credits to Graduate: 120

Regis University is one of the pioneers in online education, offering one of the first online MBA programs in 1997. Many of its online programs are designed in an accelerated format based on five or eight-week schedules in order to provide maximum flexibility for students. Courses also start up to six times a year, making it even more convenient to start.

It has an 11-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, and there are over 6,000 students enrolled at the school as a whole.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,063

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,063

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

5,566

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$39,260

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,260

Regis University

Denver, CO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$39,260

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$39,260

Acceptance Rate

81%

Online Enrollment

64%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,063

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$14,063

Retention Rate

79%

Students Enrolled

5,566

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $1,361
Out-of-State | $1,361

Credits to Graduate: 120

It has an 11-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio, and there are over 6,000 students enrolled at the school as a whole.

Colorado Christian University

Lakewood, CO4 yearCampus + Online

$24,503

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,503

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

71%

Acceptance Rate

56%

Online Enrollment

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $494
Out-of-State | $494

Credits to Graduate: 120

Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914 and is ranked as one of the top 2% of colleges nationwide. It's also one of the fastest-growing universities in the United States.

Colorado Christian University has over 100 online degree programs that are open to students in the United States and abroad. You can pursue a bachelor's degree in everything from cyber security to healthcare administration.

For added convenience, most courses are taught in five-week blocks. And on average, the online class size at CCU is just nine students.

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,474

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,474

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

8,472

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,503

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,503

Colorado Christian University

Lakewood, CO4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$24,503

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$24,503

Acceptance Rate

71%

Online Enrollment

56%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,474

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,474

Retention Rate

84%

Students Enrolled

8,472

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Cost per Credit:
In-State | $494
Out-of-State | $494

Credits to Graduate: 120

Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914 and is ranked as one of the top 2% of colleges nationwide. It's also one of the fastest-growing universities in the United States.

For added convenience, most courses are taught in five-week blocks. And on average, the online class size at CCU is just nine students.

Cost of College in Colorado

Attending college in Colorado can come with varied price tags, depending on whether you attend a public or private institution and qualify for in-state tuition.

If you hold Colorado state residency, state schools offer a much cheaper pathway than private institutions. That said, the average private tuition cost in Colorado ($26,784) is less than the national average ($34,041).

Cost of College in Colorado in 2021-2022
Institution Type	Average Tuition & Required Fees
Public Four-Year (In-State)	$9,573
Public Four-Year (Out-of-State)	$31,699
Private Four-Year	$26,784
Public Two-Year (In-State)	$3,329
Public Two-Year (Out-of-State)	$9,530

Source: NCES

10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Colorado

According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, several jobs in Colorado are projected to grow between 2022 and 2032, opening the door to opportunities after graduation.

When considering your online college options, review whether or not they offer degrees that correspond to these in-demand careers.

Many of the roles anticipated to expand in the coming years are centered in healthcare, including nurse practitioners and epidemiologists. Other fast-growing industries include information security, technology, and energy alternatives.

10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Colorado
Job	Job Growth 2022-2032	Average Annual Wage 2022
Flight Attendants	5.2%	$57,180
Nurse Practitioners	4.52%	$116,440
Epidemiologists	4.34%	$70,780
Information Security Analysts	4.21%	$118,480
Wind Turbine Service Technicians	4.08%	$61,080
Statisticians	3.97%	$92,240
Data Scientists	3.93%	$116,560
Solar Photovoltaic Installers	3.83%	$48,350
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers	3.73%	$185,960
Web Developers	3.50%	$84,650

Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Colorado

What is the cheapest online college in Colorado?

One of the cheapest online colleges in Colorado is Colorado State University Global, with a reasonable rate of $350 per credit.

Attending a community college during your first two years of school can help you save thousands of dollars. The average in-state tuition for two-year colleges was $3,329 in 2022, compared to $9,573 per year for in-state tuition at a four-year college.