Best Colleges in Colorado

Colorado is a Mountain State on the Western side of the US. Famous for many natural landmarks, including the Rocky Mountain National Forest, the Great Sand Dunes, and Pike’s Peak, the Centennial State is also home to the world’s highest highway. Colorado is also home to the United States Air Force Academy, located directly north of Colorado Springs. The state’s economy is driven by the service industries, but agriculture and mining still play a role in “The Mile-High City.”

How Were the Top Schools in Colorado Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

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Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado College

Welcome to the Block Plan, where you’ll take one class at a time for 3 ½ weeks. Prepare to dive into your current passion in small discussion-based classes, where professors will know your name, encourage you to grow, and respect your stride. Master...

“…

Colorado College is one of four colleges within the U.S. that teaches on the block plan. This innovative schedule means that students take one class at a time for three and a half weeks, in which time frame they gain four credit hours. The beauty...

” – Kirstie from El Paso, TX
University of Denver

Founded in 1864, the University of Denver is the oldest private university in the Rocky Mountain Region. DU confers bachelor’s degrees in over 100 academic fields of study and every major enables students to take courses across different subjects...

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It isn't hard to learn a lot if you go to classes and pay enough attention to your environment. It's also easy to learn a lot of lessons outside of the classroom by volunteering for events and getting involved with on-campus groups.

” – Michelle
Colorado School of Mines

The Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, Colorado. Established in 1873, Mines has been focusing on the sciences and engineering for more than 130 years, expanding its focus to include understanding the Earth, harnessing energy, and...

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For the first year at the Colorado School of Mines, the majority of the required classes are classes that many honor students have already taken in high school. The classes include calculus 1, chemistry 1 and 2, and physics 1. Granted, these classes...

” – Krista from Colorado Springs, CO
Regis University

Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1877, Regis University is a Jesuit Catholic institution in Denver. Situated against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, Regis is home to five colleges and 184 degree-granting programs. As a Jesuit university, Regis...

“…

All of my classes have been taught by brilliant and passionate professors who really care about teaching and want students to succeed, both on tests and in life. Regis provides you with a challenging academic curriculum, but professors and tutors are...

” – Joanna from Pueblo, CO
University of Colorado Boulder

The University of Colorado Boulder is located at the base of the Rocky Mountains and ranks #90 in National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report. They offer Residential Academic Programs (RAPs), multiple honors programs, and an Education...

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There are classes ranging from several hundred students to just a handful. It is easy to contact teachers and have them help you in the courtesy of their own office. There are also help rooms for several of the math and science classes where you...

” – John from Arvada, CO
United States Air Force Academy

The United States Air Force Academy is a military training institution in central Colorado and the youngest of five American service academies. USAFA confers bachelor’s degrees in 31 academic majors and all students are expected to complete a core...

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seriously, USAFA has one of the toughest academic schedules anywhere, so you get one of the best educations anywhere! its supposed to be the 7th best school in the nation.

” – Ismael from U S A F Academy, CO
Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Colorado State University is a land grant university located in Fort Collins at the base of the Rocky Mountains. Business Administration, Kinesiology, and Human Development are popular fields of study at this flagship university. A Student Recreation...

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I rated this an amazing 5 stars out of 5 because I am learning a lot in my prerequisite classes. Interesting things I would have never known about if I wasn't required to take those classes. These prerequisite classes make students very well-rounded...

” – Gianna from Pueblo West, CO
University of Colorado - Denver

The University of Colorado Denver is a public research university and is the only public urban research university in Colorado. The location in the heart of downtown Denver serves more than 15,000 students. UC Denver combines innovative research and...

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For the price i'm paying they really shouldn't be giving the education i'm receiving. The professors here know what hey are talking about. I mean i've probably learned more in the past semester than i ever did in a year in high school. Not only is...

” – Jesse from Littleton, CO
Fort Lewis College

Fort Lewis College is a public liberal arts institution based in Durango, Colorado. It is a designated Native American-serving institution by the U.S. Department of Education. The school permits qualified Native American students to attend tuition...

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Durango is a beautiful place!

” – Brittany from Thornton, CO
University of Northern Colorado

The University of Northern Colorado is a public research institution with a main campus situated in Greeley, a municipality between the Rocky Mountains and High Plains, with three satellite centers in Colorado Springs, Denver, and Loveland. UNC...

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I had no idea I could cram so much information into my head. I find myself doing everyday activities and understanding so much more about them that I did before. Every time I clean my fish tank, I wonder how many different molecules are in the water...

” – Brittany from Greeley, CO
Western Colorado University

Deep in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Western Colorado University delivers a full liberal arts curriculum and career preparation in more than 100 areas of study. Encouraging a tight-knit community, WCU’s goal is to provide personalized attention...

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The teachers from Western State are voted the best of the state of Colorado. The teacher to student ratio is 20:1. Since the school and class sizes are small, you receive a lot of one-on-one action and the teachers make sure you know the material...

” – Jacquelyn from Grand Rapids, MI
Metropolitan State University of Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a 4-year public urban university in the heart of downtown Denver. MSU Denver is home to colleges of Business; Aerospace and Engineering Science; Health and Human Services; Letters, Arts & Sciences; Education...

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All of the teachers that I have meet seem to be very professional and experts in their subject areas. The classes are taught by the professors and not by student aids. The class sizes are smaller, so that means more access to the teacher. I believe I...

” – Ashlynn from Morrison, CO
Colorado Christian University

Faith and learning; at Colorado Christian University, we prefer the combination. With more than 100 majors, minors, and emphases to choose from, you'll integrate dynamic learning with rock-solid faith, and begin to discern God's plan for your life...

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The Professors are all very well educated and deeply care that students are keeping the knowledge they gain from the classes throughout life.

” – Katherine from Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Mesa University

Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, Colorado on the beautiful Western Slope of the state. At CMU, the student is the hero of the story. The university exists to guide students to broaden their horizons and reach their goals. CMU...

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In my opinion, the professors at Mesa do a good job of cutting straight to the core of a subject and really making sure that their students understand what is being taught. They talk to you, rather than at you when they lecture so everything is more...

” – Tara from Fruita, CO
Naropa University

Naropa University is a private, 4-year institution established in Boulder, Colorado. Academics at Naropa are liberal arts-centric, featuring programs in areas of study such as Environmental Studies, Psychology, and Peace Studies. The college is...

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Naropa is a place of contemplative learning. This means that students aren't forced to stuff a bunch of information in their brains, memorize it, and then spit it back out on a test only to forget about it the next week. That often happened in high...

” – Helen from Hillsdale, MI
University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Located in the Rocky Mountain Region, The University of Colorado Springs is a public research institution. U.S. News & World Report lists the school as #6 in Top Public Schools. UCCS has many LEED Gold Certification buildings on campus, uses solar...

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Apparently, even though the course work does increase in difficulty (like in high school) you actually get more engaged in your courses & want to discover better ways to expand your knowledge. Plus the Learning Center help here is excellent!! Go...

” – Marcus from Colorado Springs, CO
Adams State University

Adams State University is a 4-year, liberal arts institute in Alamosa, Colorado. ASU offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of fields, and the university is also the center of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)...

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A good majority of the teachers here are highly qualified to teach the classes they are teaching. The teachers are more interested in helping the students and making sure that they fully learn the material, as opposed to just making the grade.

” – Brittney from Pagosa Springs, CO
Colorado State University Pueblo

Colorado State University-Pueblo is a public institution and member of the Colorado State University system. CSU-Pueblo is a designated Hispanic-serving Institution and military-friendly school. The University offers an Outdoor Pursuits program where...

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Learning materials are current and lessons incorporate new scientific findings as they are published. Labs are clean and equipment is in good condition. Professors are friendly and knowledgeable. Tutoring is available if desired. For freshmen, at...

” – Kalee from Pueblo West, CO
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Originally founded on the site of a former roller rink, Colorado Technical University is a for-profit institution with two campuses in Colorado Springs and the Denver metro area. CTU grants bachelor’s degrees in 13 fields of study and is home to five...

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The advisers are great. The classes are challenging. Students are engaged.

” – Angela from Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado Mountain College

Colorado Mountain College is a public institution that operates eleven campuses throughout western Colorado. The school offers a Colorado Concurrent Enrollment Programs Act which allows high school students to earn college credit before graduating...

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There is so much to learn! With the world at our finger tips every physical example you could ever want is just waiting to be used. Between the hands on outdoors classes and the small class size there are endless opportunities for a complete, well...

” – Erin from Rye, CO