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.

Explore the Best Universities in Colorado with Appily!

Create a Appily account to start saving schools to your personal list. Wondering where you stand when applying to the best universities in the USA? You can also see your chances of acceptance and get insights into your target, reach, and likely schools.

College placeholder image

One of two Nazarene colleges in the United States whose purpose is to train ministers, Nazarene Bible College is a Christian institution in Colorado Springs. NBC offers Bachelor of Arts in Ministry degrees with nine theological majors. The college’s...

“…

NBC is a great school all around. Tuition isn't very expensive for a fully accredited institution yet the instruction is exceptional. It is a small school so you can get to know everyone and also have easy access to all the faculty and staff if you...

” – Brian
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is a private, 4-year institution established in Lakewood, Colorado. The college offers nine academic programs, seven of which have online options available, ranging from Photography to Game Art to Art Education...

Colorado Northwestern Community College

Colorado Northwestern Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in both the town of Rangely and the city of Craig. CNCC’s two campuses are located 90 miles apart in the mountains and canyons respectively, offering students two...

“…

Although Colorado Northwestern Community College is a small college and does not offer many advance courses, the courses that they do offer are very detailed. The advantage of attending a small college is that there is a lot of one-on-one teacher...

” – Azirae from Canon City, CO
College placeholder image

Pikes Peak State College is a public 2-year institution with an open admissions policy. Pikes Peak operates multiple full-service and military satellite campuses throughout Colorado and partners with 4-year institutions across the nation for...

“…

The academic programs are great and the teachers really inspire student to absorb what they are teaching.

” – Whitney from Woodland Park, CO
College placeholder image

Northeastern Junior College is a public, 2-year institution established in Sterling, Colorado. NJC offers over 80 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as a variety of advanced degree programs through seven of the college’s partnered...

“…

I am definitely learning a lot about horses and learning better training techniques. I am also learning a lot about all the aspects of the horse industry and about animal science in general.

” – Michelle from Avondale, CO
College placeholder image

Serving four southeast Colorado counties, Lamar Community College is the smallest 2-year community college in the state. Coinciding with its great plains location, LCC offers degrees and certificates in Equine Science and Horse Training and...

Aims Community College

Aims Community College is a fully accredited, public and local tax supported two-year college. It has four campuses across northern Colorado, with an additional Flight Center location. Greeley has been home to the 185-acre main campus for more than...

“…

The classes are Aims are very small, so you can grasp alot more from the class. The teachers are always available and ready to help!

” – A Student from Brighton, CO
College placeholder image

Arapahoe Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in Littleton, Colorado, with satellite campuses located in Parker and Castle Rock. ACC offers more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as a variety of...

“…

I took a semester of online classes at ACC, and I'd have to say, I really learned a lot from them! They go much more in depth into the subjects that you are studying than in high school. They had many projects that we did with each lesson, which...

” – Ashlynn from Morrison, CO
College placeholder image

The Community College of Aurora is a 2-year institution with two campuses in the Denver metropolitan area. CCA is home to 20 academic departments and the college’s World Languages division includes courses in American Sign Language. CCA also hosts...

“…

I was a bit nervous about going to college at the age of 27, ten years since I have had any formal schooling, but the amount of information that is coming back to me here at CCA is incredible. The new information I am learning has made me enjoy the...

” – Alanna from Aurora, CO
College placeholder image

The Community College of Denver is a 2-year community college in the heart of Colorado’s capital city. CCD offers degrees and certificates in over 100 subject across 45 programs of study. The US Department of Education has designated CCD as a...

“…

By attending CCD, you are exposed to many classes that fit your needs. This school is a great starter school for those who need the one on one help.

” – Spencer from Denver, CO
College placeholder image

Front Range Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in Westminster, Colorado, with satellite locations in Brighton, Fort Collins, and Longmont. FRCC offers over 60 associate’s degree and certificate programs, many of which are...

“…

One can learn fast and a lot because of the small class sizes and great teachers.

” – Susan from Longmont, CO
College placeholder image

Pickens Technical College is a technical and vocational school in the Denver metro area. PTC is home to nine technical departments featuring over 40 academic programs. For students looking to earn a 2-year degree, PTC partners with the Colorado...

College placeholder image

Red Rocks Community College is a public, 2-year institution established in Colorado, with campuses located in Lakewood and Arvada. RRCC offers AA, AS, AGS, and AAS degrees, which cover over 100 different fields of study, as well as over 60...

“…

Red Rocks is a great school. I am 26 years old and work full time, and Red Rocks made it really easy for me to go to school online. I loved all of the classes I took over the last two years and I would recommend every single one of my teachers. I...

” – Manda from Thornton, CO
College placeholder image

The Technical College of the Rockies is a trade school serving a six-county area in western Colorado. TCR hosts eight full-time and five part-time vocational academic programs. Additionally, TCR features certification classes in Welding, Dental...

College placeholder image

Morgan Community College is a 2-year college with a main campus and four extension sites in northeast Colorado. MCC is home to six academic departments featuring 33 associate degree and 32 certificate-granting programs. MCC also offers a Test-Out...

“…

I love Morgan community college since I set foot here, it's a small campus like I wanted. The classes are small and you get to know everyone much easier. Also It's a good start instead of going straight into a university.

” – Virginia from Brighton, CO
Otero College

Founded in 1941, Otero Junior College is located on an attractive 40-acre campus on the southern edge of La Junta, Colorado. Otero Junior College is proud of its reputation as one of the finest community colleges in the State of Colorado. Our...

College placeholder image

Pueblo Community College is a 2-year institution with three locations in south central Colorado. PCCC offers over 60 degree and certificate programs, including a Fire Science technology program with concentrations in structural and wildland...

“…

PCC so far has offered an awesome experience for me as a student. I feel I am learning a lot and I know the programs offered at this school are very well respected in the community.

” – Courtney from pueblo west, CO
College placeholder image

Trinidad State Junior College is a 2-year institution and the first community college in the state of Colorado. Trinidad State’s two campuses are home to over 45 degree and certificate granting academic programs. The junior college utilizes its...

“…

I personally rate Trinidad State Junior College a 10 because the size of the school is perfect for me. The professors are great about taking time to help students when we need it and will make sure they get back to us as soon as possible if they are...

” – Alexandra from Trinidad, CO
College placeholder image

The Montessori Education Center of the Rockies is a Montessori teacher training facility in northern Colorado. The MECR training program is divided into specializations in Infant & Toddler, Early Childhood, and Elementary Education, and also offers...

College placeholder image

Colorado State University-Global Campus is the online campus of the CSU system. US News & World Report ranks CSU-Global number nine on its list of Top Online Bachelor Programs. CSU-Global features 13 bachelor’s degrees and nine certificate programs...