15 Best Value Colleges And Universities In Colorado

If you're looking for an academic experience that's completely different - and completely free - the United States Air Force Academy may be your best bet. Students spend four years in training at this military school, where coursework combines useful academic degrees, such as Aeronautics, Economics and Geosciences, and Operations Research, with rigorous military training. The campus doubles as an Air Force base and puts all incoming cadets through basic training - but the challenge doesn't stop there. Students must demonstrate both stamina and self-discipline in preparation for graduation, when they will be officially commissioned into the Air Force as second lieutenants. A narrow 17% acceptance rate proves that getting into this cheap Colorado college isn't easy, but at least paying for it is!

Forget top Colorado colleges - this school is one of the best of its kind in the nation. At the Colorado School of Mines, academics focus almost exclusively on applied science and engineering. With a selective 36% acceptance rate and a hefty $830,000 20-year net ROI, Mines demonstrates a clear commitment to both finding and graduating the very best students. But despite the fact that many learners at Mines are preoccupied with numbers and abstract figures, they don't live with their heads in the ground. The school advances a strong dedication to community issues and looks to focus its training on issues that matter - including environmental protection and resource protection.

Although this selection may not exactly be a standout when it comes to affordable Colorado colleges, it nonetheless deserves recognition as one of the most unique academic opportunities for independent students. The curriculum is completely unlike what you would experience elsewhere; students take one class at a time, spending nearly 4 weeks immersing themselves in a single subject. Learning is highly experiential and personalized, and professors will know your name in every class. Life on campus is fast-paced and animated, but that doesn't mean students don't get time to relax. Regular "block breaks" give you four days of vacation to take a camping trip, hike up a mountain, or simply recharge at home.

If you had tried to attend this Colorado university back in 1870, you might be out of luck unless you were a farmer looking for an education in agriculture. Fast-forward nearly 150 years, and the CSU of today has something for everyone. A blossoming research university with a national reputation in popular STEM subjects - including atmosphere science, environmental science, clean energy, and biomedical tech - CSU is busy producing highly successful graduates. Fort Collins alumni enjoy an average 20-year net ROI of $378k, and it's easy to see why! And if you're interested in living long enough to enjoy that success, CSU is the place to be; Fort Collins has been named the 4th healthiest midsize city in America.

With an annual student enrollment of about 12,000, this Colorado university is certainly not the biggest school in the state. However, UNC comes in strong with big-school resources, offering students more than 200 academic programs, 300+ annual music and theatre performances, 19 NCAA Division I sports teams, and pristine on-campus facilities. UNC also makes a point of "caring for the whole bear," and provides unparalleled student support services for tutoring, career prep, and advising - plus a Center for Human Enrichment that caters to the needs of first-generation students.

If Denver isn't exactly your scene, you might try your luck at this Colorado university, the flagship university of the UC system. Whether you choose Boulder for its breathtaking mountain views, international recognition in numerous areas of research, affordable tuition, or booming social scene (almost 30,000 students attend!) you can't really go wrong at this cheap college in Colorado. Although its high acceptance rate doesn't exactly scream selectivity, UC Boulder performs levels above the competition in measures of student engagement. With an 84% annual retention rate, solid 70% six-year graduation rate, and 93% post-grad employment rate, it's easy to see how Boulder will get you more than your money's worth.

Also located in Denver is one of the premier locations of the University of Colorado, which actually consists of three distinct campuses throughout the metropolitan area. Travel to CU South Denver to participate in numerous K-12 outreach programs, visit the popular museum, and enjoy a one-of-a-kind "Wildlife Experience" in the cultural center. Alternatively, health science students can benefit from high-tech resources at the Anschutz Medical Campus, while adventurous learners can weave seamlessly into city life on the urban campus in downtown Denver. And in fact, at this school the city is the campus, where you will find internships, cultural experiences, and entertainment venues - all on your walk to class!

Th Denver university is almost old as the eponymous city itself, and it hasn't wasted any time over the course of its 150-year history. The school has burgeoned into a sprawling campus that supports more than 11,000 students from over 80 nations, and it has earned a reputation as a top college in Colorado for experiential learning and community impact. In fact, there's no reason you'll have to limit your collegiate experience to the city of Denver. The university strongly encourages students to immerse themselves in other cultures, and it puts is money where it's mouth is! You could apply for the Cherrington Scholars Program, which provides financial assistance - including round-trip airfare and visa application fees - to off-set the costs of studying abroad.

More than simply providing an education, this Denver university professes to be in the business of "transforming lives." Its first priority is "broad access," which means catering to low-income and non-traditional students. In fact, 40% of the campus population attends part-time, while more than 30% are the first in their family to attend college. What's more, MSU is the best Colorado college for granting STEM degrees to students of color, making it a top-choice for science nerds and minorities alike. In total, MSU offers nearly 60 degree programs for undergrads, including individualized study for those looking to break the mold.

This Colorado university traces its roots to a really great bargain - a businessman sold the original 80 acres of campus space for just $1! This cheap Colorado college continues its reputation for bargain hunting to this day by passing on the savings to its students, both in-state and out. In exchange for a reasonable tuition check, you'll by into some of the best views in Colorado, including a scenic look at the rugged Austin Bluffs and looming Rocky Mountains. But there's plenty to do on campus, too. You'll have your pick of activities to supplement your academic goals, whether that means joining your classmates for some power yoga or practicing your rhymes at a poetry slam.