Best Community Colleges in Colorado 2025
Key Takeaways
- Twelve schools in Colorado meet our criteria for the best community colleges in the state.
- Community colleges offer more affordable tuition rates than a traditional four-year college.
- Graduates with an associate degree can often transfer their credits into an accredited bachelor’s degree program.
Top Ten Best Community Colleges in Colorado in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In 2025, the top schools in our ranking of the best community colleges in Colorado saw a substantial amount of movement. The Community College of Aurora gained the most ranking positions as the college is undergoing significant developments to enhance its educational offerings and infrastructure. A major initiative is the construction of the Center for STEM, Power Mechanics, and Applied Technologies on the CentreTech campus. This 55,000-square-foot facility will house programs in diesel technology, construction, solar energy, and sustainable energy, aiming to strengthen Colorado’s workforce. The center is scheduled to open in Fall 2025.
In addition to the STEM center, CCA announced in October 2024 the establishment of a third campus in the City of Centennial. This new campus will focus on health sciences programs, including nursing, behavioral health, and related fields. The Centennial campus is also expected to open in Fall 2025, aligning with CCA’s mission to provide career-ready programs in state-of-the-art facilities.
Best Community Colleges in Colorado
- #2 Best Online Associate in French Degree Programs #3 Best Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2025 #3 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #4 Best Online Associate in Philosophy
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
27%
Student body
27K
Career Outlook for degree at Front Range Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,740Starting Salary: $40,600What is Front Range Community College known for?
Front Range Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Front Range Community College has three campuses across Colorado: Westminster, Longmont, and Fort Collins. This public community college is the largest in Colorado. It is also the most popular transfer school for the University of Colorado Boulder, the Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado State University, and CSU Global.
What We Love About Front Range Community College
Despite the limited opportunities that come with being a community college, the professors at FRCC are known for being supportive.
Front Range Community College is ideal for students who:
Want to save money but still earn college credits so they can transfer to a larger four-year school, as well as those returning students who want supplemental education.
Front Range Community College might not be the best fit for students who:
Want the big campus atmosphere, the dorm life, and the large classes.
- #4 Best Online Associate in Anthropology #5 Best Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2025 #6 Best Online Associate in Economics #6 Best Online Associate in Biology
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
25%
Student body
11K
Career Outlook for degree at Community College of Aurora
Cost of Degree: $4,030Starting Salary: $38,400What is Community College of Aurora known for?
Community College of Aurora’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The Community College of Aurora was founded in 1983 and is part of the 13-institution Colorado Community College System (CCS). The school serves more than 11,000 students and has 55 degree programs.
What We Love About the Community College of Aurora
CCA is designated as both a federally designated Hispanic and Minority-Serving Institution. More than 65% of their classes are filled with students of color.
Community College of Aurora is ideal for students who:
Are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Community College of Aurora might not be the best fit for students who:
Are looking for a smaller community college.
Tuition + fees
$3K
Graduation
27%
Student body
9K
Career Outlook for degree at Aims Community College
Cost of Degree: $3,170Starting Salary: $37,800What is Aims Community College known for?
Aims Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Located in Greeley, Colorado, Aims Community College is a public community college that also has locations in Windsor, Fort Lupton, and Loveland. This school offers over 200 degree and certificate programs and has day and night classes.
What We Love About Aims Community College
Classes at Aims are small, which makes instructors easily accessible.
Aims Community College is ideal for students who:
Want smaller class sizes and campuses, and those who need extra lessons because most of the teachers offer free tutoring.
Aims Community College might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for a big campus or a big college experience since Aims is a small and very personal place where everyone says hi to everybody.
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
50%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Trinidad State College
Cost of Degree: $4,468Expenses: $16,232Starting Salary: $33,200Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Trinidad State College known for?
Trinidad State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Trinidad State College was founded in 1925 and is the very first community college in Colorado. This public state college, located in Trinidad, Colorado, also operates a satellite campus in Alamosa, about 100 miles northwest of Trinidad.
What We Love About Trinidad State College
Although the school is small, students still get to enjoy lots of great events in and around them.
Trinidad State College is ideal for students who:
Prefer a smaller college where they can have one-on-one time with their professors.
Trinidad State College might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for a much larger campus with big classes and plenty of parties and socials.
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
27%
Student body
16K
Career Outlook for degree at Arapahoe Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,308Starting Salary: $40,700What is Arapahoe Community College known for?
Arapahoe Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado is the very first community college to open in the Denver area. It offers over 90 degree and certificate programs in a traditional classroom learning environment and more than 200 online courses.
What We Love About Arapahoe Community College
Aside from the friendly and approachable professors, the school has very small classes, making it easier to get that one-on-one time with teachers.
Arapahoe Community College is ideal for students who:
Want to pursue a college education without the hefty price of university.
Arapahoe Community College might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for a more traditional, on-campus college life.
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
37%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Otero College
Cost of Degree: $4,418Expenses: $16,788Starting Salary: $31,100Cost Recoup Time: 13 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Otero College known for?
Otero College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Otero College was founded in 1941. It was originally named La Junta Junior College. Located in La Junta, Colorado, this two-year college was later renamed Otero College in 2021. The school offers over thirty academic programs covering different topics.
What We Love About Otero College
Otero College has dedicated faculty members to guide students through hands-on, project-based activities both off and on campus.
Otero College is ideal for students who:
Are not yet ready to go to a large school because the campus is small and easy to get around.
Otero College might not be the best fit for students who:
Are not willing to make an effort in their academics because the school has high standards on their curriculum.
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
51%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Northeastern Junior College
Cost of Degree: $5,582Expenses: $15,477Starting Salary: $37,700Cost Recoup Time: 11 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Northeastern Junior College known for?
Northeastern Junior College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Northeastern Junior College is a public community college located in Sterling, Colorado and is a member school of the Colorado Community College System. It offers 80 programs of study, with classes held on-campus and online.
What We Love About Northeastern Junior College
The school has a good campus life with good size classes. Although not so large, the campus is nice and is kept in very good care.
Northeastern Junior College is ideal for students who:
Want small classes.
Northeastern Junior College might not be a good fit for students who:
Are not academically serious because NJC strongly focuses on the academic success of their students.
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
23%
Student body
15K
Career Outlook for degree at Pikes Peak State College
Cost of Degree: $4,302Starting Salary: $35,700What is Pikes Peak State College known for?
Pikes Peak State College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Pikes Peak State College in Colorado Springs is the biggest higher education institution in the Pikes Peak region. Over 150 programs in liberal arts and sciences are offered, as well as transfer and career technical education.
What We Love About Pikes Peak State College
The college is very diverse—from veterans to parents to high schoolers and college-aged kids. Pikes Peak State College is the best place, too, for those who are looking for an affordable alternative to a traditional four-year university.
Pikes Peak State College is ideal for students who:
Want to get a degree quickly and get into the working world immediately. It’s also a good place for those pursuing a trade, like auto mechanics, radiology tech, med tech, CNA, and many more.
Pikes Peak State College might not be the best fit for students who:
Like the big city atmosphere because Colorado Springs is a relatively small town.
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
44%
Student body
<1K
Career Outlook for degree at Lamar Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,422Expenses: $15,776Starting Salary: $32,100Cost Recoup Time: 12 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Lamar Community College known for?
Lamar Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
Lamar Community College in Lamar, Colorado, is a member of the Colorado Community College System. Despite its small size (with barely 800 enrolled students), LCC serves a huge primary service area of Prowers, Cheyenne, Baca, and Kiowa. Through its international student program, it attracts students from across the US.
What We Love About Lamar Community College
Lamar is a very good community college with amazing professors. Students can enjoy different events in the dorms to create opportunities for everybody to come together and get to know each other.
Lamar Community College is ideal for students who:
Want a small-sized college where the dorms are close enough so students can go to class fast.
Lamar Community College might not be a good fit for students who:
Are looking for a cheaper yet high quality alternative for a community college.
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
32%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Colorado Northwestern Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,454Expenses: $16,916Starting Salary: $43,300Cost Recoup Time: 10 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryColorado Northwestern Community College has campuses in Rangely and Craig, Colorado.
This public community awards bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, post-master’s certificates, and doctor’s degrees.
What We Love About Colorado Northwestern Community College
CNCC is a small school with small class sizes, thus, the professors are easily available. And since the campus is small, most students also know each other.
Colorado Northwestern Community College is ideal for students who:
Are into sports because most of the students in the school are involved in some type of sport. Those who want to find themselves wanting to see what a college athlete’s lifestyle is but still want to do well in the classroom will enjoy CNCC.
Colorado Northwestern Community College might not be a good fit for students who:
Prefer to go to a bigger school where they can enjoy other non-academic activities.
Tuition + fees
$15K
Graduation
67%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Institute of Business & Medical Careers
Cost of Degree: $15,320Starting Salary: $27,500What is Institute of Business & Medical Careers known for?
Institute of Business & Medical Careers’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
The Institute of Business and Medical Careers Fort Collins campus focuses on in-demand careers, providing students with short-term training so that they are prepared for long-term success. For over thirty years, the school has proven methods of training features, including hands-on skills building so that students will gain confidence and knowledge to launch their careers.
What We Love About the Institute of Business and Medical Careers
Students at IBMC will feel like they’re in a “family” because they learn in small groups with one-to-one support.
Institute of Business and Medical Careers is ideal for students who:
Are looking for small class sizes and flexible schedules. IBMC will fit each student’s lifestyle and schedule through its flexible programs.
Institute of Business and Medical Careers might not be a good fit for students who:
Want to enroll in a large university with traditional university activities and events, as well as those who are looking for a much cheaper cost of attendance.
Tuition + fees
$4K
Graduation
36%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Morgan Community College
Cost of Degree: $4,127Starting Salary: $34,000Morgan Community College is a community college located in Fort Morgan, Colorado and is a member of the Colorado Community College System. Degrees awarded at Morgan Community College include Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, Post-master’s Certificate, and Doctor’s degree.
What We Love About Morgan Community College
Because the school is relatively small, students can get individual help from the instructors and staff.
Morgan Community College is ideal for students who:
Are looking for a community college that provides personal attention and affordable tuition without compromising standards of quality.
Morgan Community College might not be a good fit for students who:
Want a school in a rural setting with lots of happenings because MCC lies in a quiet town where parties seldom happen.
The top-rated community colleges offer an accessible intro into higher education, with high-quality two-year degree programs in a wide range of disciplines. The best community colleges in Colorado offer a broad selection of associate’s degrees, affordable tuition rates, and strong partnerships with public four-year schools so that students can easily transfer their credits into accredited bachelor’s degree programs.
Colleges and Universities in Colorado
Colorado has numerous excellent and highly respected community colleges. Many of these top Colorado schools are noted for their affordability as well.
Students attending community colleges in Colorado can earn an associate degree in popular subjects like business management, health services administration, health sciences, and criminal justice. Colorado also has some of the most affordable community colleges in America, giving students the opportunity to pursue a wide range of on-campus and online degree programs for less than in many other states. The average tuition for a year at one of Colorado’s twelve community colleges is $4,000.
Find college admissions consultants in your state.
What are Colorado’s Colleges & Universities?
- 9 Research Universities
- 15 Liberal Arts Colleges & Universities
- 9 Graduate Schools
- 17 Public Colleges & Universities
- 7 Private Colleges & Universities
- 2 Christian Colleges & Universities
- 9 Small Colleges & Universities (fewer than 5,000 students)
- 23 Affordable Colleges (below $20,000/year)
- 12 Community Colleges
- Best Online Colleges
Colorado’s Best Overall
We’ve identified 12 community colleges in Colorado. The following list shows the best community colleges and primarily associate degree granting colleges in Colorado.
If you’re interested in an online associate degree, visit our best online associate degrees in Colorado page.
2023 Ranking Archive
Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.
