Colleges where the most freshmen return in Colorado
Colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Colleges where the most freshmen return in Colorado7 schools
7 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
How this list is made
- Schools in Colorado.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
United States Air Force Academy
USAF Academy, CO · PublicHonor Roll#1 in Colorado
- 97% of freshmen return
- 88% graduate
- 2
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 94% of freshmen return
- 88% graduate
- 3
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO · PublicHonor RollTop 3% for earnings
- 93% of freshmen return
- 82% graduate
- 4
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- 90% of freshmen return
- 74% graduate
- 5
- 6
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO · Public#7 in Colorado
- 86% of freshmen return
- 67% graduate
- 7
Regis University
Denver, CO · Private nonprofitTop 13% for earnings
- 71% of freshmen return
- 61% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States Air Force Academy | — | — | — | 88% |
| Colorado College | $33,375 | $18,257 | $65,222 | 88% |
| Colorado School of Mines | $28,690 | $23,000 | $97,335 | 82% |
| University of Colorado Boulder | $25,346 | $19,500 | $69,738 | 74% |
| University of Denver | $36,131 | $21,844 | $71,155 | 76% |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins | $21,279 | $20,000 | $60,543 | 67% |
| Regis University | $18,397 | $25,000 | $72,105 | 61% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Connecticut 14
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 15
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 8
- Maryland 16
- Massachusetts 46
- Michigan 21
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 80
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 31
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 62
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15