Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Colorado
The lowest net prices among colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B or better.
Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Colorado6 schools
6 schools qualify, ranked by net price.
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 net price from federal data (the average yearly cost after grants, College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by net price, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Regis University
Denver, CO · Private nonprofitTop 13% for earnings
- Net price $18,397 a year
- 61% graduate
- 2
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO · Public#7 in Colorado
- Net price $21,279 a year
- 67% graduate
- 3
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO · PublicExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Net price $25,346 a year
- 74% graduate
- 4
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, CO · PublicHonor RollTop 3% for earnings
- Net price $28,690 a year
- 82% graduate
- 5
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $33,375 a year
- 88% graduate
- 6
University of Denver
Denver, CO · Private nonprofit#4 in Colorado
- Net price $36,131 a year
- 76% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regis University | $18,397 | $25,000 | $72,105 | 61% |
| Colorado State University-Fort Collins | $21,279 | $20,000 | $60,543 | 67% |
| University of Colorado Boulder | $25,346 | $19,500 | $69,738 | 74% |
| Colorado School of Mines | $28,690 | $23,000 | $97,335 | 82% |
| Colorado College | $33,375 | $18,257 | $65,222 | 88% |
| University of Denver | $36,131 | $21,844 | $71,155 | 76% |
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 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Massachusetts 47
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15