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Best colleges in Colorado

Written by:
March 25, 2024
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

Best colleges in Colorado

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions a person will make for their education, impacting everything from future earnings and employment to potential student loan debt and social circles.

While every student wants to get the best education they possibly can, there are myriad considerations to take into account: location, size, diversity, areas of focus, study abroad opportunities—the list goes on.

While best college lists are often topped with the same handful of expensive Ivy League schools, the U.S. is home to more than 4,000 degree-granting schools spread out across all 50 states and several territories, with amazing education offerings for students to consider.

Stacker compiled a list of the best four-year colleges in Colorado using rankings from Niche. Tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, acceptance rate, and graduation rate are among the factors considered in deciding these rankings. Location is also often a key factor in a school's appeal, whether it be a beachside location, one full of New England foliage, or proximity to tech hubs and companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google. Online and unspecified location schools were excluded from the rankings.

Keep reading to see the best schools in your state.

A group of college students having a discussion under a tree on campus.
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#10. Colorado Mesa University

- Location: Grand Junction, CO
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Net price: $15,324
- SAT range: 940-1200
- Niche grade:  B-
A student wearing a backpack holding two books as they walk to a college class.
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mangpor2004 // Shutterstock

#9. Metropolitan State University of Denver

- Location: Denver, CO
- Acceptance rate: 89%
- Net price: $14,195
- SAT range: 910-1140
- Niche grade:  B-
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Sean Locke Photography // Shutterstock

#8. Colorado Christian University

- Location: Lakewood, CO
- Acceptance rate: 100%
- Net price: $26,759
- SAT range: Not available
- Niche grade:  B
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#7. Regis University

- Location: Denver, CO
- Acceptance rate: 81%
- Net price: $27,735
- SAT range: 1030-1270
- Niche grade:  B
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#6. University of Denver

- Location: Denver, CO
- Acceptance rate: 64%
- Net price: $39,973
- SAT range: 1200-1390
- Niche grade:  B+

You may also like: States where people in Colorado are getting new jobs

An empty college dorm room with bunkbeds.
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#5. Colorado State University

- Location: Fort Collins, CO
- Acceptance rate: 90%
- Net price: $18,320
- SAT range: 1080-1290
- Niche grade:  B+
A college professor giving a lecture.
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#4. University of Colorado Boulder

- Location: Boulder, CO
- Acceptance rate: 80%
- Net price: $22,532
- SAT range: 1170-1390
- Niche grade:  A-
A group of college students working together on a group project in a library.
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#3. University of Colorado Denver

- Location: Denver, CO
- Acceptance rate: 72%
- Net price: $14,630
- SAT range: 1030-1250
- Niche grade:  A-
An empty college classroom.
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#2. Colorado School of Mines

- Location: Golden, CO
- Acceptance rate: 57%
- Net price: $26,179
- SAT range: 1310-1470
- Niche grade:  A
A group of college students working on their laptops.
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#1. Colorado College

- Location: Colorado Springs, CO
- Acceptance rate: 14%
- Net price: $30,200
- SAT range: Not available
- Niche grade:  A

You may also like: Highest-rated things to do in Colorado, according to Tripadvisor

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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