Best Grad Schools in Colorado 2024

Badge for BEST IN COLORADO GRADUATE SCHOOLS

Graduate school may be a critical step in your higher education, whether you are interested in expanding your knowledge, learning a specialization, or earning advanced credentials required by your profession. The best graduate schools in Colorado offer advanced degrees, such as master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as opportunities for independent research, mentorships, and professional networking.

Best Grad Schools in Colorado

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  1. University of Colorado Boulder
  2. University of Denver
  3. Colorado State University
  4. Colorado School of Mines
  5. University of Colorado Denver
  6. University of Northern Colorado
  7. Aspen University
  8. University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  9. Adams State University
  1. University of Colorado Boulder
  2. University of Denver
  3. Colorado State University
  4. Colorado School of Mines
  5. University of Colorado Denver
  6. University of Northern Colorado
  7. Aspen University
  8. University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  9. Adams State University
  1. Adams State University 99%
  2. Colorado State University 91%
  3. University of Colorado Colorado Springs 85%
  4. University of Colorado Boulder 81%
  5. University of Northern Colorado 79%
  6. University of Denver 78%
  7. University of Colorado Denver 75%
  8. Colorado School of Mines 58%
  1. University of Colorado Boulder 18 to 1
  2. Colorado State University 17 to 1
  3. University of Colorado Denver 17 to 1
  4. Colorado School of Mines 17 to 1
  5. University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15 to 1
  6. University of Northern Colorado 14 to 1
  7. Adams State University 13 to 1
  8. University of Denver 8 to 1
  9. Aspen University 5 to 1
  1. University of Denver $56,439
  2. Colorado School of Mines $17,520
  3. University of Colorado Boulder $11,004
  4. University of Colorado Colorado Springs $10,990
  5. Colorado State University $9,903
  6. University of Colorado Denver $8,736
  7. University of Northern Colorado $8,180
  8. Adams State University $6,072
  9. Aspen University $5,355
  1. University of Denver $55,260
  2. Colorado School of Mines $17,676
  3. University of Colorado Boulder $15,251
  4. University of Colorado Colorado Springs $14,560
  5. University of Northern Colorado $11,628
  6. Colorado State University $10,834
  7. University of Colorado Denver $7,722
  8. Adams State University $7,704
  9. Aspen University $3,900
  1. Adams State University
  2. University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  3. Aspen University
  4. University of Northern Colorado
  5. University of Colorado Denver
  6. Colorado School of Mines
  7. Colorado State University
  8. University of Denver
  9. University of Colorado Boulder
  1. Adams State University
  2. University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  3. Aspen University
  4. University of Northern Colorado
  5. University of Colorado Denver
  6. Colorado School of Mines
  7. Colorado State University
  8. University of Denver
  9. University of Colorado Boulder
  1. Colorado School of Mines 58%
  2. University of Colorado Denver 75%
  3. University of Denver 78%
  4. University of Northern Colorado 79%
  5. University of Colorado Boulder 81%
  6. University of Colorado Colorado Springs 85%
  7. Colorado State University 91%
  8. Adams State University 99%
  1. Aspen University 5 to 1
  2. University of Denver 8 to 1
  3. Adams State University 13 to 1
  4. University of Northern Colorado 14 to 1
  5. University of Colorado Colorado Springs 15 to 1
  6. Colorado State University 17 to 1
  7. University of Colorado Denver 17 to 1
  8. Colorado School of Mines 17 to 1
  9. University of Colorado Boulder 18 to 1
  1. Aspen University $5,355
  2. Adams State University $6,072
  3. University of Northern Colorado $8,180
  4. University of Colorado Denver $8,736
  5. Colorado State University $9,903
  6. University of Colorado Colorado Springs $10,990
  7. University of Colorado Boulder $11,004
  8. Colorado School of Mines $17,520
  9. University of Denver $56,439
  1. Aspen University $3,900
  2. Adams State University $7,704
  3. University of Colorado Denver $7,722
  4. Colorado State University $10,834
  5. University of Northern Colorado $11,628
  6. University of Colorado Colorado Springs $14,560
  7. University of Colorado Boulder $15,251
  8. Colorado School of Mines $17,676
  9. University of Denver $55,260

Colleges and Universities in Colorado

Fans of the outdoors will feel right at home in Colorado. With the Rocky Mountains, Colorado River, and even part of the Great Plains, you’re sure to find adventure in The Centennial State. Students looking to balance outdoor adventure with higher education can choose from over 40 colleges and universities offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees for an average in-state tuition of $10,800.

Find college admissions consultants in your state.

Colorado’s 28 public institutes include junior colleges, universities, the United States Air Force Academy, and the Colorado School of Mines, a research university that specializes in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Tuition for Colorado’s public schools ranges from $3,000 to $19,000, with many of the colleges and junior colleges starting at $4,000 and the universities at $8,000. Several of public colleges in Colorado enroll a large number of online students, including Colorado State University

.

Colorado’s private institutions boast smaller class sizes and student populations. This category includes five religiously affiliated campuses. Private colleges in Colorado tend to be more expensive, ranging from $4,000 to $55,000 in tuition. There are several online colleges in Colorado that are categorized as private schools.

The University of Colorado, Boulder, a notable research institute, is ranked as the number one school in the state and has a student population of just over 32,000. Students can earn degrees in computer science and physics both through in-person courses and online learning. Influential Boulder alumni include Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Academy Award-winning actor and director Robert Redford.

Prospective art students can check out Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, and those desiring a career in the medical field can look into the Institute of Business and Medical Careers.

To learn more, check out the best brick-and-mortar and online colleges in Colorado.


What are Colorado’s Colleges & Universities?

Colorado’s Best Overall


Colorado's Best Grad Schools Badge
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There are 9 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Colorado. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Colorado is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Colorado 2023

  1. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    75%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1275/29

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Colorado Boulder

    Cost of Degree: $12,590
    Expenses: $20,360
    Starting Salary: $59,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. #3

    Colorado State University

    Fort Collins , CO
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $13K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Colorado State University

    Cost of Degree: $12,559
    Expenses: $17,575
    Starting Salary: $53,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $20K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    8K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1409/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Colorado School of Mines

    Cost of Degree: $20,040
    Expenses: $19,489
    Starting Salary: $95,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    43%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1115/24

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

    Cost of Degree: $12,380
    Expenses: $17,860
    Starting Salary: $49,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Colorado Colorado Springs known for?

    University of Colorado Colorado Springs’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  5. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $10K

    Acceptance

    99%

    Graduation

    28%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1020/20

    Career Outlook for degree at Adams State University

    Cost of Degree: $9,776
    Expenses: $14,206
    Starting Salary: $38,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Adams State University known for?

    Adams State University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Colorado’s Best Grad School for Your Area of Interest

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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.

  1. University of Colorado Boulder
  2. University of Colorado Denver
  3. Colorado State University
  4. University of Denver
  5. Colorado School of Mines
  6. University of Northern Colorado
  7. University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  8. Iliff School of Theology
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