State Hub

Colleges in Colorado

CampusPin tracks 58 colleges in Colorado — 38 universities and 20 community colleges. Compare tuition, acceptance, size, and setting to build a shortlist that fits.

Colleges tracked

58

Universities

38

Community colleges

20

Avg. in-state tuition

$14k

About college search in Colorado

How Colorado's higher-education landscape shapes a search

Colorado operates a diversified public higher-education sector. The University of Colorado System runs four campuses (Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, and the Anschutz Medical Campus). Colorado State University runs Fort Collins (the state’s land-grant flagship) plus Pueblo and Global campuses. The Colorado School of Mines (Golden) is a specialized STEM-focused public. Other major publics include the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley) and Metropolitan State University of Denver. The Colorado Community College System operates 13 colleges with formal transfer to public four-year institutions.

CU Boulder and CSU as research anchors

CU Boulder is the most-selective public university in the state; Colorado State University (Fort Collins) is the land-grant research institution.

Colorado School of Mines

Mines (Golden) is a specialized public university focused on engineering and applied sciences — one of the few STEM-focused publics in the U.S.

CCCS (13 community colleges)

The Colorado Community College System runs 13 colleges with formal gtPathways transfer agreements to Colorado public four-year universities.

COSI and other affordability programs

The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative and need-based COF (College Opportunity Fund) reduce in-state cost for eligible students. Verify with the institution.

Public university system

CU System + CSU System + independent publics

Colorado’s public four-year sector includes the CU System (Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, Anschutz), the CSU System (Fort Collins, Pueblo, Global), Mines, UNC, Metro State, Western Colorado, Adams State, and Fort Lewis (an institution serving Native American students tuition-free).

Community college network

Colorado Community College System (CCCS) — 13 colleges

CCCS coordinates 13 community colleges. The gtPathways general-education transfer framework guarantees credit transfer to Colorado public four-year institutions.

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

Colorado in-state public tuition is in the mid-range. The state College Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend reduces in-state tuition at public institutions for eligible Colorado residents who enroll part-time or full-time. Verify residency and COF eligibility with the institution.

Top metros for college search

Where Colorado's higher-education density concentrates

  • Denver metro

    Denver hosts CU Denver, the University of Denver (private), Metropolitan State, the Community College of Denver, and Regis (private).

  • Boulder

    Boulder is built around CU Boulder, the state’s most-selective public research university.

  • Fort Collins

    Fort Collins is home to Colorado State University, the state’s land-grant research and agricultural anchor.

  • Colorado Springs

    Colorado Springs hosts UCCS (University of Colorado Colorado Springs), the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado College (private), and Pikes Peak State College.

  • Golden / Western Foothills

    Golden is the home of the Colorado School of Mines, with the Colorado state government nearby in Denver.

West region overview

What students weigh when searching colleges in Colorado

Across Colorado (CO), CampusPin currently indexes 58 institutions: 29 public and 29 private, split between 38 universities and 20 community colleges. Students often deal with large geographic spread, strong public systems, and meaningful differences between urban, suburban, and remote options.

Compare travel distance and delivery format early so your list reflects how you would actually attend.
Use online and hybrid filters when geography is broad but schedule flexibility matters.
Review campus environment and support detail carefully because Western state searches can mix very different school contexts.

Browse by major

Colorado colleges by program

Jump straight to Colorado colleges and universities that offer a specific major. Each page compares tuition, acceptance rate, and enrollment for that program across Colorado.

Every college we track

Colleges and universities in Colorado

Filter all Colorado schools

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How to use the Colorado hub

Start with CampusPin results filtered to Colorado so your first pass stays geographically focused.
Use school profiles to compare tuition, admissions, program format, and campus fit before building a shortlist.
If you are looking for lower-cost or transfer-first options, compare community colleges and four-year destinations separately.
Use blog guides and help-center content when you need stronger decision frameworks, not just more schools.

Next actions for Colorado

Explore all colleges in ColoradoView community colleges in ColoradoView online programs in ColoradoRead planning guides before you compare

Frequently asked questions

Questions families ask about colleges in Colorado

Which is the public flagship university in Colorado?
The University of Colorado Boulder is generally considered the state’s primary public flagship and most-selective public university. Colorado State University in Fort Collins is the state’s land-grant institution.
How many HBCUs are in Colorado?
Colorado has no federally designated HBCUs.
How does the Colorado College Opportunity Fund (COF) work?
The Colorado College Opportunity Fund (COF) is a state stipend that reduces the in-state tuition rate paid by eligible Colorado residents at participating public institutions. Each enrolled credit hour up to the cap reduces the student’s tuition charge. Verify eligibility and current per-credit amount with the Colorado Department of Higher Education.
What is Fort Lewis College’s tuition waiver?
Fort Lewis College in Durango operates a tuition waiver for Native American students who are members of federally recognized tribes — a long-standing program rooted in the institution’s historical commitments.

Related blog clusters

Guides that pair well with a Colorado search

Cost and Financial Aid

College affordability, net price, aid interpretation, borrowing decisions, and budgeting guidance for students and families using CampusPin to compare higher-ed options with more discipline.

Community College

Community-college strategy, affordability, transfer readiness, and credential pathway content for students exploring two-year options through CampusPin.

College Search Strategy

Filter-first search strategy, shortlist building, and planning content for students and parents using CampusPin to discover best-fit colleges and universities.

Help Center

Workflow guides for students searching in Colorado

Getting Started With CampusPin

A fast orientation to the CampusPin workflow, from your first search through profile review, pins, and next-step planning.

How to Use Filters to Narrow Your College List

A practical help article on how to use CampusPin filters without over-filtering or locking yourself into the wrong criteria too early.

How to Read a CampusPin School Profile

A guide to the major sections inside a CampusPin institution profile and how to interpret them effectively. Each page is designed to connect search intent to clearer next steps, internal links, and more defensible CampusPin decisions.