Best Small Colleges in Colorado 2024

Badge for BEST IN COLORADO SMALL COLLEGES
By Dr. James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Small colleges in Colorado are a great option for students interested in a more intimate campus experience, more personal attention from excellent professors, and more immediate access to support services. Whether the focus is on the technical or on the liberal arts, small colleges give you the chance to pursue a well-rounded education while working closely with classmates and professors in a dynamic community atmosphere.

Best Small Colleges in Colorado 2024

Sort by:
  1. Colorado College
  2. Naropa University
  3. Fort Lewis College
  4. Western Colorado University
  5. Adams State University
  6. Colorado Mountain College
  7. Pueblo Community College
  8. Aspen University
  1. Colorado College
  2. Naropa University
  3. Aspen University
  4. Fort Lewis College
  5. Adams State University
  6. Colorado Mountain College
  7. Western Colorado University
  8. Pueblo Community College
  1. Naropa University 100%
  2. Adams State University 99%
  3. Western Colorado University 92%
  4. Fort Lewis College 91%
  5. Colorado College 16%
  1. Pueblo Community College 19 to 1
  2. Western Colorado University 16 to 1
  3. Fort Lewis College 15 to 1
  4. Adams State University 13 to 1
  5. Colorado Mountain College 13 to 1
  6. Colorado College 10 to 1
  7. Naropa University 9 to 1
  8. Aspen University 5 to 1
  1. Colorado College $65,028
  2. Naropa University $34,600
  3. Fort Lewis College $7,200
  4. Western Colorado University $6,936
  5. Adams State University $6,072
  6. Aspen University $5,355
  7. Colorado Mountain College $4,680
  8. Pueblo Community College $3,754
  1. Colorado College $27,600
  2. Naropa University $19,578
  3. Western Colorado University $14,000
  4. Adams State University $7,704
  5. Fort Lewis College $6,750
  6. Aspen University $3,900
  1. Aspen University
  2. Pueblo Community College
  3. Colorado Mountain College
  4. Adams State University
  5. Western Colorado University
  6. Fort Lewis College
  7. Naropa University
  8. Colorado College
  1. Pueblo Community College
  2. Western Colorado University
  3. Colorado Mountain College
  4. Adams State University
  5. Fort Lewis College
  6. Aspen University
  7. Naropa University
  8. Colorado College
  1. Colorado College 16%
  2. Fort Lewis College 91%
  3. Western Colorado University 92%
  4. Adams State University 99%
  5. Naropa University 100%
  1. Aspen University 5 to 1
  2. Naropa University 9 to 1
  3. Colorado College 10 to 1
  4. Adams State University 13 to 1
  5. Colorado Mountain College 13 to 1
  6. Fort Lewis College 15 to 1
  7. Western Colorado University 16 to 1
  8. Pueblo Community College 19 to 1
  1. Pueblo Community College $3,754
  2. Colorado Mountain College $4,680
  3. Aspen University $5,355
  4. Adams State University $6,072
  5. Western Colorado University $6,936
  6. Fort Lewis College $7,200
  7. Naropa University $34,600
  8. Colorado College $65,028
  1. Aspen University $3,900
  2. Fort Lewis College $6,750
  3. Adams State University $7,704
  4. Western Colorado University $14,000
  5. Naropa University $19,578
  6. Colorado College $27,600

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 Small Colleges and Universities Badge
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The following list of the best small colleges and universities in Colorado is composed mainly of four-year undergraduate schools (though a handful also offer graduate programs). We’ve identified 8 small colleges in Colorado. The list below of the best small colleges in Colorado. To be included schools must fully accredited, and must have student body populations below 5,000 students.

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Best Small Colleges in Colorado 2023

  1. #1

    Colorado College

    Colorado Springs , CO
    #2 Best Private Colleges in Colorado 2025 #2 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2025 #3 The Most Influential Universities and Colleges Ranked by State 2024 #5 Best Colleges in Colorado 2025
    Other Rankings

    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: $67,932
    Expenses: $19,196
    Starting Salary: $49,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Colorado College known for?

    Colorado College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  2. #2

    Naropa University

    Boulder , CO
    #3 Best Private Colleges in Colorado 2025 #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2025 #6 Best Colleges in Colorado 2025 #10 Best Online Master’s in Counseling 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $35K

    Acceptance

    100%

    Graduation

    31%

    Student body

    1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Naropa University

    Cost of Degree: $34,600
    Expenses: $16,710
    Starting Salary: $27,800
    Cost Recoup Time: 23 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Naropa University known for?

    Naropa University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  3. #3

    Fort Lewis College

    Durango , CO
    #5 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2025 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado 2025 #8 Best Public Colleges in Colorado 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $9K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    39%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/21

    Career Outlook for degree at Fort Lewis College

    Cost of Degree: $9,670
    Expenses: $18,742
    Starting Salary: $39,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Fort Lewis College known for?

    Fort Lewis College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  4. #4

    Western Colorado University

    Gunnison , CO
    #10 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    47%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/25

    Career Outlook for degree at Western Colorado University

    Cost of Degree: $11,083
    Expenses: $15,068
    Starting Salary: $43,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Western Colorado University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Compare school
  5. #5

    Adams State University

    Alamosa , CO
    #8 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2025 #9 Best Grad Schools in Colorado 2025 #9 Most Affordable Online Master's Degree Programs Ranked for Students #9 Most Affordable Online PhDs in Psychology Ranked for 2025
    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: $15,423
    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

    Compare school
  7. #6

    Colorado Mountain College

    Glenwood Springs , CO
    #7 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in Colorado 2025

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    27%

    Student body

    7K

    Career Outlook for degree at Colorado Mountain College

    Cost of Degree: $5,100
    Expenses: $14,626
    Starting Salary: $37,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Colorado Mountain College known for?

    Colorado Mountain College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  8. #7

    Pueblo Community College

    Pueblo , CO

    Tuition + fees

    $5K

    Graduation

    23%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at Pueblo Community College

    Cost of Degree: $4,883
    Starting Salary: $31,900
    What is Pueblo Community College known for?

    Pueblo Community College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Compare school
  9. #8

    Aspen University

    Phoenix , AZ
    #5 Best Private Colleges in Colorado 2025 #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Colorado 2025 #7 Best Grad Schools in Colorado 2025 #1 Most Affordable Online PhD Programs Ranked for Students in 2024
    Other Rankings

    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
    Compare school
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Colorado’s Best Small College in Your Area of Interest

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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.

  1. Colorado College
  2. United States Air Force Academy
  3. Fort Lewis College
  4. Western Colorado University
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