Best Online Colleges In Colorado

Last Updated on December 15, 2022

There are a number of conflicting reports about best online colleges in colorado online, so you may have wondered where to turn for trustworthy information on the subject. This article will provide you with the information you need.

Information about online colleges in colorado springs, colorado state university online, university of colorado boulder, regis university northwest and university of colorado denver is available through CollegeLearners.

Colleges and universities throughout the United States offer online programs, making higher education accessible to millions of recent high school graduates and nontraditional students. Colorado online colleges offer learners numerous degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Shorter certificate programs help working professionals attain in-demand skills.

Public colleges and universities charge in-state online students the most affordable tuition rate. Recent Colorado transplants must live in the state for 12 continuous months to qualify for in-state tuition. However, Colorado schools make exceptions in specific circumstances, such as for active-duty service members and their dependents.

Online programs prepare graduates to advance their careers or qualify for exciting and lucrative new job opportunities. Colorado job-seekers benefit from low unemployment — 2.7% as of September 2019 — and above-average annual wages of $55,820. While the cost of living in urban areas such as Denver ranks above average, so do wages. Denver area workers earn $1,388 per week, compared to $1,184 nationwide. Additionally, college graduates in Colorado can qualify for in-demand jobs in government, business, education, healthcare, and hospitality that typically pay above-average wages.

#1 University of Colorado Boulder

  • Annual Tuition: $10,728
  • Median Salary: $96,500
  • Locations: Boulder
  • Accreditation: HLC

Founded five months before Colorado was granted statehood in 1876, the University of Colorado Boulder is the flagship university of the University of Colorado system. It comprises nine colleges and schools and enrolls about 17,000 students. The university’s online learning catalog includes several degree programs—including bachelor’s and master’s degrees—in such subjects as aerospace engineering, business, electrical engineering, speech-language pathology, computer science, and organizational leadership. CU Boulder’s online and hybrid programs are ideal for working professionals who need a flexible and convenient educational format in order to complete their degrees. Distance learners receive the same resources as their on-campus peers.

#2 University of Denver

  • Annual Tuition: $30,060
  • Median Salary: $90,000
  • Locations: Denver
  • Accreditation: HLC

Founded in 1864, the University of Denver is the oldest independent private university in the Rocky Mountain Region of the United States. Every graduate program and bachelor’s completion program can be completed 100 percent online. A total of six bachelor’s completion degrees and over 40 master’s degrees are offered in such areas as communication, management, organizational leadership, professional creative writing, global studies, and information technology. Programs are also offered in a hybrid and HyFlex format, which allows students to go to campus or log on from home at specific class times. The university uses the Canvas online learning management system to deliver coursework.

#3 Colorado State University-Fort Collins

  • Annual Tuition: $14,280
  • Median Salary: $85,700
  • Locations: Fort Collins
  • Accreditation: HLC

Established in 1870 and located in Fort Collins, Colorado State University is a public research institution and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System. Over 40 online programs are offered, including more than 11 bachelor’s degrees, 30 graduate degrees, and two doctoral degrees. A number of online certificates are also available. Popular subjects include engineering, agricultural sciences, business, communication, computer science, education, statistics, anthropology, horticulture, journalism, and psychology. Coursework is delivered via the Canvas online learning management system; course material is provided in audio, video, and text formats, and there are assessments, projects, and discussion forums. A few courses require students to attend on-campus classes.

#4 University of Colorado Denver

  • Annual Tuition: $12,720
  • Median Salary: $84,700
  • Locations: Denver
  • Accreditation: HLC

With a physical enrollment of more than 18,000 students, the University of Colorado Denver is the largest research institution in Colorado and grants more graduate degrees than any other institution in the state. More than 30 online programs are offered, including bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Students can choose from such subjects as communication, criminal justice, English writing, psychology, public service, sociology, nursing, finance and risk management, and education. A number of online certificate programs are also offered. All programs are available 100 percent online, and learning is asynchronous. Coursework is delivered via the Canvas online learning management system, through which students can access course material, assignments, lectures, and quizzes from almost any location.

#5 University of Colorado Colorado Springs

  • Annual Tuition: $10,462
  • Median Salary: $82,100
  • Locations: Colorado Springs
  • Accreditation: HLC

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is one of four campuses that comprise the University of Colorado system. The institution offers over 20 online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Popular areas of study include business, communication, criminal justice, education, nursing, and public administration. Most programs are fully online, but some courses are not available via distance learning. Several online certificates are also available. Coursework is delivered via the Canvas online learning management system. Course material is provided in audio, video, and text formats, and there are assessments, projects, and discussion forums. An online orientation is required for distance learners to help them acclimate to the online learning environment.

#6 Metropolitan State University of Denver

  • Annual Tuition: $10,056
  • Median Salary: $74,400
  • Locations: Denver
  • Accreditation: HLC

Established in 1965, the Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public institution located on the same campus as the University of Colorado Denver and the Community College of Denver. Online bachelor’s degrees are offered in human development and family studies, accounting, nursing, social work, and computer information systems. An online master of social work is also available at MSUD. Coursework is delivered via the Blackboard online learning management system, and a mobile app is available so students can access course material from a smartphone or tablet. Self-paced learning is available, which encompasses a wide variety of required and elective classes for bachelor’s degrees. Busy students can study at their own pace, with 21 weeks to complete their coursework for the fall and spring semesters.

#7 Colorado Christian University 

  • Annual Tuition: $14,070
  • Median Salary: $74,200
  • Locations: Lakewood
  • Accreditation: HLC

Located in Lakewood, Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914 as the Denver Bible Institute. It is a private, interdenominational Christian liberal arts university. The institution offers many online programs, including associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, one doctoral degree, and several undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. Coursework is delivered via the Blackboard online learning management system, and a mobile app is available so students can access course material from a smartphone or tablet. Learning is asynchronous, but students are expected to meet assignment deadlines each week. Some courses are also offered in a hybrid format.

#8 Colorado Mesa University

  • Annual Tuition: $10,206
  • Median Salary: $72,800
  • Locations: Grand Junction
  • Accreditation: HLC

Established as Mesa State College in 1925, Colorado Mesa University is a public university located in Grand Junction. The institution offers online programs including certificates, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees. Fields of study include radiologic sciences, social science, sport management, and business administration. Certificate programs are also offered online. Coursework is delivered via the Brightspace online learning management system; the university’s website contains a short video so students can learn how to navigate the Brightspace environment. Course materials include assignments, chat, class lists, class progress, content, course news, discussions, grades, and quizzes. Additionally, via the university’s website, students can access an online readiness questionnaire to determine if online learning is a good fit for them.

#9 Nazarene Bible College

  • Annual Tuition: $11,840
  • Median Salary: $44,000
  • Locations: Colorado Springs
  • Accreditation: HLC

Founded in 1964, Nazarene Bible College is a private institution located in Colorado Springs. It is affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene. Several online Associate and Bachelor of Arts degrees are offered including church ministries, pastoral ministries, leadership and ethics, Christian school education, Hispanic pastoral ministries, and Bible and theology. An online certificate program is also offered in ministry preparation. All online learning is asynchronous, so students can study when and where it is convenient for them. Students are able to store and retrieve course material, so it is not always necessary to have an Internet connection to study or review coursework. Classes are highly interactive and include regular communication with both instructors and peers. The college has maintained a consistent 94 percent completion rate average since 1998.

Most Common Online Degrees in Colorado

According to data from the 2016 Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System report published in November 2017, here are the leading bachelor’s degrees offered in Colorado:

DEGREE SUBJECT AVERAGE ONLINE TUITION PER CREDIT (IN-STATE) * AVERAGE ONLINE TUITION PER CREDIT (OUT-OF-STATE) * NUMBER OF SCHOOLS OFFERING THIS DEGREE ONLINE
Business Administration and Management $814 $814 14
Nursing $645 $663 11
Health care Administration/ Management $379 $422 9
Accounting $814 $814 9
Human Resources Management $752 $774 7

* Based on aggregate tuition data provided to U.S. News – this data is not representative of all schools in this state.

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