Best Private Colleges in Colorado 2024
Private colleges, unlike large public institutions, can be a great option for students wanting a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Here is our list of the best private colleges in Colorado.
10 Best Private Colleges in Colorado
- University of Denver
- Colorado College
- Aspen University
- Regis University
- Naropa University
- Colorado Technical University
- Colorado Christian University
- University of Denver
- Colorado College
- Naropa University
- Regis University
- Aspen University
- Colorado Technical University
- Colorado Christian University
- Colorado Technical University 31 to 1
- Colorado Christian University 16 to 1
- Colorado College 10 to 1
- Regis University 9 to 1
- Naropa University 9 to 1
- University of Denver 8 to 1
- Aspen University 5 to 1
- Colorado College $65,028
- University of Denver $56,439
- Regis University $42,220
- Naropa University $34,600
- Colorado Christian University $17,476
- Colorado Technical University $12,696
- Aspen University $5,355
- University of Denver $55,260
- Colorado College $27,600
- Naropa University $19,578
- Regis University $14,261
- Colorado Technical University $13,937
- Colorado Christian University $13,931
- Aspen University $3,900
- Colorado Christian University
- Colorado Technical University
- Naropa University
- Regis University
- Aspen University
- Colorado College
- University of Denver
- Colorado Christian University
- Colorado Technical University
- Aspen University
- Regis University
- Naropa University
- Colorado College
- University of Denver
- Aspen University 5 to 1
- University of Denver 8 to 1
- Regis University 9 to 1
- Naropa University 9 to 1
- Colorado College 10 to 1
- Colorado Christian University 16 to 1
- Colorado Technical University 31 to 1
- Aspen University $5,355
- Colorado Technical University $12,696
- Colorado Christian University $17,476
- Naropa University $34,600
- Regis University $42,220
- University of Denver $56,439
- Colorado College $65,028
- Aspen University $3,900
- Colorado Christian University $13,931
- Colorado Technical University $13,937
- Regis University $14,261
- Naropa University $19,578
- Colorado College $27,600
- 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?
- 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
What is the difference between public and private colleges?
Public and private colleges and universities operate under different business models. Public colleges and universities are owned by the state and receive both state and federal funding to operate. Private colleges and universities are private companies with private funding. If you’re looking at the pros and cons of private vs. public colleges, consider that many public colleges provide diverse course offerings, influential professors, and an excellent return on your investment.
Public colleges are schools that receive most of their funding from tax revenues. As a result, the cost of a bachelor’s degree at a public university is often lower than the equivalent cost at a private college — especially for students attending a public school in their home state. Attending a college in-state is usually the cheapest option. Private universities and colleges can be very competitive with their funding opportunities, so do not simply believe that private colleges are always going to be more expensive. According to National Center for Educational Statistics, the average annual cost (tuition, fees, room and board for full-time students) at a public university was slightly over $20,000. In contrast, private universities cost, on average, nearly $43,000 annually. But in the end, the cost of college comes down to each student’s academic and financial situation.
This list is composed entirely of private colleges and universities that offer bachelor’s degrees. We’ve identified 7 private universities in Colorado. To be included in the list below of the best private universities in Colorado, schools must be fully accredited, private, non-profit institution, and must offer a broad range of bachelor’s degrees.
Best Private Colleges in Colorado
- #1 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #2 Best Research Universities in Colorado 2024 #2 Best Colleges in Colorado 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Colorado 2024
Other Rankings
- #1 Best Online MBA Programs in Colorado
- #1 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Information Technology
- #2 Best Accredited Online Juris Doctorate (JD) Law Programs
- #2 Best Online Master's Programs in Colorado 2024
- #3 Best Online Colleges in Colorado 2024
- #4 Top 8 Best Online Applied Behavioral Analysis PhDs (Doctorates)
- #4 Best Online Degree Completion Programs for Returning Students
- #17 Best Online MBA Degree Programs for 2024 with No GMAT Required
- #4 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Counseling Degree Programs 2024
Tuition + fees
$56K
Acceptance
78%
Graduation
77%
Student body
17K
Median SAT/ACT
1310/30
Career Outlook for degree at University of Denver
Cost of Degree: $56,439Expenses: $19,620Starting Salary: $65,400Cost Recoup Time: 18 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is University of Denver known for?
University of Denver’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Political Science
- Social Work
- Law
- Psychology
- Business
- Economics
- Anthropology
- History
- Education
- Religious Studies
Most Influential Alumni
- #1 Best Small Colleges in Colorado 2024 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2024 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #5 Best Colleges in Colorado 2024
Other Rankings
- #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Education Degrees
- #11 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Economics Degree
- #12 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degree
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Anthropology Degrees
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Sociology Degrees
- #16 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Math Degrees
- #17 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Computer Science Degrees 2024
- #19 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for a Biology Degree
- #22 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Religious Studies Degrees
- #23 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for History Degrees
- #24 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Philosophy Degrees
Tuition + fees
$65K
Acceptance
16%
Graduation
86%
Student body
2K
Median SAT/ACT
1370/31
Career Outlook for degree at Colorado College
Cost of Degree: $65,028Expenses: $18,200Starting Salary: $49,900Cost Recoup Time: 21 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Colorado College known for?
Colorado College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Earth Sciences
- Sociology
- Biology
- Mathematics
- Philosophy
- Literature
- Psychology
- Anthropology
Most Influential Alumni
- #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2024 #6 Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado 2024 #7 Best Grad Schools in Colorado 2024 #8 Best Small Colleges in Colorado 2024
Other Rankings
- #9 Best Colleges in Colorado 2024
- #1 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #1 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
- #2 Most Affordable Online Master's Degree Programs Ranked for Students
- #6 Best Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2024
- #6 Top 20 Most Affordable Online MBA Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #9 Best Online Master's Programs in Colorado 2024
- #11 Best Online Colleges in Colorado 2024
- #16 Most Affordable Online Computer Science PhDs (Doctorates) 2024
- #2 Most Affordable Master's in Counseling Degree Programs Ranked for 2024
- #20 The Most Affordable Traditional MBA Degree Programs for 2024
Tuition + fees
$5K
Student body
14K
What is Aspen University known for?
Aspen University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Aspen University’s Online Degrees
BS in Business Administration
Degree Concentrations
- Completion
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Early Childhood Studies
Degree Concentrations
- Completion
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #11 The Best Catholic Colleges and Universities Ranked for 2024 #20 Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities for Doctoral Degrees #1 Best Christian Colleges in Colorado 2024 #7 Best Research Universities in Colorado 2024
Other Rankings
- #10 Best Colleges in Colorado 2024
- #3 Best Online MBA Programs in Colorado
- #5 Best Online Master's Programs in Colorado 2024
- #5 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Information Technology
- #6 Best Online Colleges in Colorado 2024
- #7 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of English
- #10 10 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Accounting Programs
- #11 Top 20 Most Affordable Online Bachelor's of Cybersecurity
- #15 Best Online Master’s in Information Technology
- #17 Best Online Master’s in Health Informatics
- #19 Best RN to BSN Online
- #7 How to Earn Your Master's Degree Without Your Bachelor's Degree
- #11 20 Fastest Online Bachelor's of Business Degree Programs Ranked 2024
Tuition + fees
$42K
Acceptance
76%
Graduation
67%
Student body
7K
Median SAT/ACT
1120/23
Career Outlook for degree at Regis University
Cost of Degree: $42,220Expenses: $18,134Starting Salary: $62,700Cost Recoup Time: 16 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Regis University known for?
Regis University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Computer Science
- Criminal Justice
- Business
- Medical
- Economics
- Political Science
- Education
- Social Work
Most Influential Alumni
Regis University’s Online Degrees
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
- #2 Best Small Colleges in Colorado 2024 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2024 #10 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
Tuition + fees
$35K
Acceptance
100%
Graduation
31%
Student body
1K
Career Outlook for degree at Naropa University
Cost of Degree: $34,600Expenses: $16,624Starting Salary: $27,800Cost Recoup Time: 23 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Naropa University known for?
Naropa University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
Most Influential Alumni
- #9 Best Research Universities in Colorado 2024 #9 Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado 2024 #4 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Colorado #5 Best Online MBA Programs in Colorado
Other Rankings
- #6 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Nursing Programs (PhDs)
- #7 Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity
- #7 Fastest Accelerated Online Public Health Doctorates (PhDs)
- #8 Fastest Accelerated Online Master's of Cybersecurity
- #14 Most Affordable Online Criminology Doctorate Programs (PhDs)
- #18 Most Affordable Online Computer Science PhDs (Doctorates) 2024
- #8 Fastest Online Associate's of Business Degree Programs Ranked 2024
Tuition + fees
$13K
Graduation
20%
Student body
50K
Career Outlook for degree at Colorado Technical University
Cost of Degree: $12,696Starting Salary: $51,300What is Colorado Technical University known for?
Colorado Technical University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- #2 Best Christian Colleges in Colorado 2024 #1 Best Online Associate Degrees in Colorado 2024 #1 Best Online Bachelor's in Cybersecurity in Colorado #2 Best Online Associate in Psychology
Other Rankings
- #4 Best Online Bachelor’s of Counseling Degree Programs for 2024
- #5 How To Get an Online Master’s Degree in Biblical Studies
- #5 Best Online Colleges in Colorado 2024
- #6 Best Online Associate in Human Resources
- #8 Best Online MBA Programs in Colorado
- #9 Best Online Associate in Biblical Studies
- #10 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's of Accounting Programs
- #13 Best Online Associate in Marketing
- #13 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
- #13 Best Online Bachelor’s in Biblical Studies
- #14 Best Online Associate in Communications
- #14 Best Online Bachelor’s of Data Science and Analytics Degree Programs for 2024
- #15 Best Online Bachelor's in Network Administration Degree Programs for 2024
- #16 Best Online Bachelor’s of Christian Ministry Degree Programs for 2024
- #19 Best Online Bachelor's of Economics Degree Programs for 2024
- #19 Best Online Master's in Economics
- #20 Best Online Master’s in Counseling
- #21 Best Online Associate in Information Technology
- #12 Fastest Online Associate's of Business Degree Programs Ranked 2024
- #19 Top 20 Fastest Accelerated Online Bachelor's in Counseling
Tuition + fees
$18K
Graduation
61%
Student body
16K
Career Outlook for degree at Colorado Christian University
Cost of Degree: $26,846Expenses: $12,774Starting Salary: $44,600Cost Recoup Time: 15 yearsPaid back at 15% of annual salaryWhat is Colorado Christian University known for?
Colorado Christian University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:
- Religious Studies
- Psychology
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Computer Science
- Literature
- Business
- Sociology
- Criminal Justice
- History
Most Influential Alumni
Colorado Christian University’s Online Degrees
BS in Accountancy
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Business
Degree Concentrations
- Entrepreneurship
- International Business
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Economics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Human Resource Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Logistics And Supply Chain Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Marketing And Sales
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Nonprofit Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational Management In Christian Leadership
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational Management In Enterprise Agility
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Organizational Management In Project Management
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Computer Information Technology
Degree Concentrations
- Data Engineering
- Database Management
- Networking
- System Analyst
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Information Systems Management
Degree Concentrations
- Cybersecurity
- System Analyst
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Criminal Justice
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Early Childhood Education
Degree Concentrations
- Licensure
- Non Licensure
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Elementary Education
Degree Concentrations
- Licensure
- Non Licensure
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Special Education
Degree Concentrations
- Licensure
- Non-Licensure
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Applied Apologetics
Degree Concentrations
- Cultural Engagement
- Global Apologetics
- Innovative Evangelism
- Practical Apologetics
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Biblical Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Christian Ministry
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BA in Communication Studies
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BS in Healthcare Administration
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
BSN in Nursing Rn To Bsn
- Required Credits: 120
- Completion Time: None Reported
- Format: Online
Colorado’s Best Private Colleges in Your Area Interest
2021 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.
Check out our directory of private colleges throughout the U.S. for a look at the top private schools in every state.