Colorado is one of the best places in the world for combining amazing natural resources, with top-level city life and a unique culture! Of course, it’s an incredible place to attend college and offers some of the best online schooling options as well. Today, online colleges are growing at a rapid rate and Colorado is keeping up with the trends, offering online colleges at several different schools. Residents of Colorado should consider continuing their education for a few important reasons. It’s not too late to start thinking about higher education through one of many incredible online colleges in Colorado and the benefits it offers.
Based on the savings of in-state tuition, universities and colleges offer a better way to save money, time, and inconvenience of traveling. Whether you’re a new college student, full-time working parent, or looking for a higher salary, Colorado has dozens of online colleges recognized for its job placement and good standing with the state.
We’ve compiled a list of the top online schools in Colorado to consider applying. Also, we’ve taken the effort to research, evaluate, and rank all colleges with the most respectable, highest graduation rate, and job placement rating.
Below you’ll find a description of each college with information including tuition costs, special programs, acceptance rate, and other key facts. To simplify, we’ve made two categories for rankings, one for 4-year degree colleges and one for 2-year community colleges.
Here are the top 16 Online Colleges in Colorado
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Regis University
Regis University, one of the 28 Jesuit Colleges throughout the United States, is a private Roman Catholic university. The Society of Jesus established the school in Las Vegas. Then in 1887, the institution moved to Denver. Students have the option from 30 different bachelor’s programs highlighting programs such as criminology, finance, and computer networking.
Students of any religion are welcomed to apply to Regis University. The university has five academic colleges with over 9,000 students. The school has welcomed Nobel Peace Prize recipients as guest speakers, including the Dalia Lama, Pope John Paul 2nd, and David Trimble.
- Acceptance Rate: 96 percent
- Graduation Rate: 59 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 67
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Colorado State University – Global Campus
Colorado State University – Global Campus, an online public university has been live since 2007. The university is a member of the Colorado State University System. It teaches more than 12,000 students and offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees. The school offers in total 13 online programs for its students.
A range of bachelor’s and master’s degrees available include human resources, criminal justice, information technology, finance, accounting, and education. The university also provides levels and services to support veterans and active military members seeking online education opportunities.
- Acceptance Rate: 98 percent
- Graduation Rate: 63 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 17
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Colorado State University Fort Collins
Colorado State University at Fort Collins offers different online degrees and certificates. CSU offers eight undergraduate degrees in programs including Psychology, Horticulture, Economics, Anthropology, and Agricultural Business. CSU offers over 20 different Master’s Doctorate degrees online as well including engineering, higher education, computer science, and arts leadership and music.
For nearly 50 years, Colorado State University Online has been delivering online, and distance programs developed at the flagship research campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 30 different programs, CSU offers one of the widest variety of online programs in Colorado.
- Acceptance Rate: 80 percent
- Graduation Rate: 65 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 23
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University of Denver
The University of Denver, founded in 1864, is located a few miles south of downtown Denver. UD is a private college that serves 12,000 students. Online bachelor’s programs include anything from arts, environmental studies, global commerce, and information technology.
Applicants applying are encouraged to have 24 earned credits before applying for programs. Adults with three years of work experience beyond high school may also qualify for admission into the program
UD’s 125-acre campus is home to the Meyer-Womble Observatory, which is the highest-altitude observatory in the United States. The campus is a designated arboretum and has hosted presidential debates.
- Acceptance Rate: 76 percent
- Graduation Rate: 76 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 16
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Colorado Christian University
Colorado Christian University is a religious institution dedicated to Christian principles in its courses. The university offers 17 online bachelor’s degree programs. Online courses span between 5, 7, or 10-week blocks with specific start and end dates. Notably, CCU offers reduced tuition to active duty members of the military and their adult dependents. Currently, CCU is not authorized to accept online students from some states, including Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Rhode Island, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
CCU, founded in 1914 as the Denver Bible Institute, merged with the Western Bible Institute and Colorado Baptist University. The school’s main campus is in Lakewood, CO, which is a suburb located 10 miles west of Denver.
- Acceptance Rate: 94 percent
- Graduation Rate: 40 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 33
University of Colorado – Colorado Springs was established in 1965. Currently, more than 12,000 students attend the university. UCCS is one of the four online colleges in Colorado comprising the University of Colorado System. The university offers more than 70 degrees, including six online bachelor’s programs. Those include business, communication, criminal justice, health care sciences, and sociology.
Located near Austin Bluffs in Colorado Springs, UCCS is one of the fasted growing UC schools in Colorado. Students have access to the school’s scholarly article databases and other resources in its vast online library. Students also take classes through the program, Blackboard.
- Acceptance Rate: 92 percent
- Graduation Rate: 47 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 12
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Johnson & Wales University – Colorado
Johnson & Wales University is a public school with four different locations around the U.S. JWU offers over 20 different undergraduate programs online. Some include management, marketing, business administration, and entrepreneurship. The school also offers MBAs and Masters of Science. Distance students can join Honor’s Program with online classes. The school offers hybrid and interactive web programs.
Founded in 1914, Johnson & Wales University has been serving students over 100 years. Today, over 16,000 students attend JWU.
- Acceptance Rate: 81 percent
- Graduation Rate: 51 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 14
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University of Northern Colorado
The University of Northern Colorado offers five online bachelor’s degree and completion programs, including ASL, psychology, dietetics, nursing, and sociology. Each program has a rolling deadline. A few of the online bachelor’s degree programs have an “open entry” policy, where students can begin their studies anytime in the semester, while others have specific start dates.
The UNC campus, located in Greeley, CO, is about 50 miles north of Denver. Both in- and out-of-state students receive the same tuition rate at UNC online college in Colorado.
- Acceptance Rate: 71 percent
- Graduation Rate: 45 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 26
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Colorado Mountain College
Colorado Mountain College is a school with a limited amount of online programs. CMC offers five associate degrees and eight certificates. Students can choose between programs such as early childhood education, paralegal, general, and arts.
Colorado Mountain College is in north-central Colorado. Located in a beautiful area, it includes international resorts, ranches, wilderness areas and former mining towns. Each year, over 20,000 students take classes at 11 locations and online.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 23 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 14
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Western State Colorado University
Western State Colorado University is in Gunnison, Colorado. Research, undergraduate, and graduate training are part of the university’s academic curriculum. Degrees exist across a range of specialties, including sciences, health, education, and arts. The Extended Studies program offers credit and noncredit classes. Also, specific offerings in the program include the Summer Teacher Institute, Career Step training courses, Outdoor and Wilderness Education program and international learning opportunities.
Founded in 1901, WSCU is a public university that enrolls just over 1,600 students currently. Known for residing in the beautiful Gunnison Valley, WSCU is known for providing courses in wilderness pursuits and other outdoor programs.
- Acceptance Rate: 97 percent
- Graduation Rate: 39 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 1
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University of Colorado Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a division of the University of Colorado located in Boulder. UC offers programs and courses online for continuing students. The university offers 13 different online degree programs.
Colorado University at Boulder is one of thirty-four public research universities in the nation belonging to the Association of American Universities, a prestigious accreditation society. UC, founded in 1876, now enrolls over 30,000 students.
- Acceptance Rate: 84 percent
- Graduation Rate: 47 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 4
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University of Colorado Pueblo
The University of Colorado Pueblo is a public school and is also an extension of the University of Colorado. In 2015, UC began to offer online courses and programs. Currently, it offers one undergraduate program in Construction Management and a Master’s in Business Administration. UC, founded in 1933 as a junior college, now has thousands of current students.
- Acceptance Rate: 93 percent
- Graduation Rate: 34 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 2
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Colorado Mesa University
Colorado Mesa University is a public school located in Grand Junction. CMU offers two-degree completion programs–a Bachelor’s in nursing and a Bachelor of Science in radiologic technology. Also, the school offers online bachelor’s degree programs in liberal arts with elementary education licensure and in sports management. Online classes follow a semester-based academic calendar. CMU is only authorized to offer online programs in 48 states, excluding Pennsylvania, Kentucky, and the District of Columbia.
CMU opened in 1925 as a junior college and started offering baccalaureate programs in 1974. In 2005, it created Western Colorado Community College, which is a two-year, open admission division within the university.
- Acceptance Rate: 82 percent
- Graduation Rate: 29 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 6
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Nazarene Bible College
Nazarene Bible College, located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is one of ten Nazarene schools in the United States. Future and current students have more than a dozen online degrees to choose. Pastoral ministries, Christian counseling, Bible and theology, leadership and ethics are a few highlighted training areas at NBC. Adults who want to serve in ministry as a deacon or elder can enroll in the college’s ministry preparation program.
Starting to give out degrees in 1970, NBC students continue to enroll online. Currently, over 1000 students are taking courses online.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: N/A
- Number of Online Programs: 14
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Metropolitan State University of Denver
Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public school that houses around 21,000 students. MSU offers extended courses for finishing degrees in programs such as accounting, social work, and management. Classes online can be registered mid-term and usually last 21 weeks or 6 months.
Founded in 1963, MSU has been thriving for over 50 years. The school resides in downtown Denver. MSU offers over 70 different degrees with the convenience of small class sizes for better interaction between professors and students.
- Acceptance Rate: 65 percent
- Graduation Rate: 33 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 7
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Adams State University
Adams State University is a public school located in Alamosa, Colorado. Formed in 1921, ASU now continues to broaden its reach with online minors, associates, undergraduate programs. BA programs include business administration, English/liberal arts, and sociology. The school enrolls around 3,700 students on-campus and online. Students have a year to complete the open enrollment courses online.
- Acceptance Rate: 65 percent
- Graduation Rate: 25 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 14
Top 10 Community Colleges in Colorado:
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Community College of Aurora
Students who attend the Community College of Aurora have the opportunity attended classes in both Denver and Aurora Colorado. Online programs and hybrid classes at CCA offer associate degrees and certificate programs. Self-paced classes allow students to complete a course at their own pace and begin at the beginning of the semester. Online programs include computer science, criminal justice, early childhood education, and marketing.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 19 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 36
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Community College of Denver
Community College of Denver is in the center of Denver and offers more than 100 certificate and associate degree programs. Classes are available at both two separate campuses as well as a state of the art manufacturing center near CCDs main campus. CCD offers Online programs as well. Some include liberal arts, science, and general studies.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 10 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 20
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Front Range Community College
With four campuses around the state, Front Range Community College offers learning opportunities in multiple counties across Colorado. FRCC offers more than 50 programs to give students the chance to earn associate degrees and work on general education courses. Students who can’t attend on-campus classes can complete different degree programs online. Students who meet specific requirements can transfer to various four-year colleges including the Colorado School of Mines and the University of Colorado.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 19 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 18
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Arapahoe Community College
Arapahoe Community College has three campuses located in Littleton, Colorado. ACC has over ten online degree programs, widening their reach across not only the state but the country. A few of the degrees ACC offers are in computer science, general studies, liberal arts, and criminal justice. ACC utilizes the Brightspace learning management system that allows the school to offer more than 200 online courses during every semester.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 18 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 14
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Lamar Community College
Lamar Community College is a small public school of under 1000 students. LCC offers associate degrees and certificate programs both online and on campus. LCC offers online programs. Associate degrees online include Accounting, Business, and Liberal Arts. Students who complete an associate’s degree have an option to transfer to a four-year college or university.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 31 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 15
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Aims Community College
Aims Community College is a public 2-year school with ten online degrees available to its students. Associate degrees include marketing, business, construction management and fire science/ fire-fighting. Advising is available for students for support in online classes. Courses are open on a semester-based schedule.
ACC, located in Greeley, Colorado, was founded in 1965. Aims offer over 200 degrees and certificates on campus. ACC is spread across four campuses and offers day and evening classes each semester.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 27 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 10
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Morgan Community College
Morgan Community College, located in Fort Morgan, works to give students different pathways to learning. MCC offers associate degrees in art, science, applied science and general studies, as well as certificate programs. As part of the Colorado Community Colleges Online, MCC offers over 200 online course offerings to students, from across Colorado. MCC offers online degrees in business administration, liberal arts, and general studies.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 32 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 12
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Colorado Northwestern Community College
Colorado Northwestern offers online programs for its students. CNCC offers a guaranteed transfer to a 4-year college after completion of the Associate of Art or Associate of Science program. CNCC offers two online degree programs in Early Childhood Education and Banking and Finance Services. Located in Rangely, Colorado, CNNC has just over 1000 students currently enrolled, allowing for better interaction between student and teacher.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 31 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 9
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Otero Junior College
Otero Junior College, located in La Junta, Colorado, offers more than 50 associate degree and certificate programs. OJC works with the Colorado Community Colleges Online to offer students online classes, programs, and degrees. Online courses have a range of 6-10 weeks. Some of the degrees include liberal arts and general studies. Classes are available online and on campus during the fall, spring and summer semesters.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 33 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 9
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Trinidad State Junior College
Trinidad State was the first college in the Colorado Community College system. TSJC offers degree programs for associate degrees and certificates in Trinidad and Alamosa. Each campus offers different degree programs. Online programs include Occupancy Safety and Health Technician. At the Trinidad campus, a gunsmithing program affiliated with the National Rifle Association, allows students to gain experience in all aspects of gun making and marksmanship and earn an Associate of Applied Science in Gunsmithing.
- Acceptance Rate: N/A
- Graduation Rate: 40 percent
- Number of Online Programs: 3
Method:
To find the best online colleges we collected and analyzed data from every accredited university and college in Colorado with online colleges. To determine which college ranks best we looked at the number of online programs, graduation rate, and acceptance rate, where it applied. From there, we calculated the rate of success for graduating from college and adding the number of online programs.
We know that finding the best school for your unique situation and interests can be a difficult task. That’s why we’ve evaluated thousands of school based on the factors most important to you. For more information about our evaluation and ranking system, as well as other lists that were ranked by the factors most important to you, see our methodology page.
We invite schools to review and recommend any changes or inclusions to boost its ranking. If your school isn’t listed, we recommend you contact us and tell us why your school should be one of the top online colleges in Colorado.