Choosing to earn a degree entirely online has many benefits over on-campus degree programs. As students move to take advantage of these online programs, they are also seeking guidance on which programs to choose. Below, students will find some of our favorite online universities from Colorado that offer online degree programs and operate as nonprofit institutions. Selected on the availability of their programs and the cost of their tuition, these are out top schools.
Ranking the Top Online Colleges in Colorado
#1. Colorado State University
Established in 1870, Colorado State University is a public research university. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado State University is the flagship school within the Colorado State University System. Founded in 1870, Colorado State University was originally established by the state legislature as a college of agriculture. Known as the Colorado Agricultural College, the school functioned primarily like a college-prep school due to a lack of properly trained teachers. However, as the years went on, Colorado Agricultural College began to attract more and more talented students and faculty. By 1935, it was decided that the school was to be renamed to the Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. Having moved beyond just offering agriculture courses, the school’s new name was chosen to better communicate to students the nature of the programs being offered at the school. In 1957, the school was renamed once again to Colorado State University. Since then, the school has grown to become the centerpiece of the Colorado State University System. Having received honors for academic excellence, Colorado State University is well-known throughout the state. Today, Colorado State University is home to a student body of almost 34,000 students.
Featured Programs
Students at Colorado State University are able to enroll in a wide variety of academic programs offered by the school. Currently, Colorado State University offers over sixty-five different fields of study for undergraduate students as well as fifty-five different Master’s degrees and forty different doctoral programs. A large selection of these programs is made available entirely online through Colorado State University’s Global Campus. Because of this, Colorado State University has ranked among our top online colleges and universities in Colorado. Colorado State University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Colorado State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition: $350/credit
Click here for a list of Colorado State University’s online programs.
#2. Colorado Mesa University
A public university, Colorado Mesa University is located in Grand Junction, Colorado. Established in 1925, Colorado Mesa University’s motto is “Rumble Mavs!” Originally founded as a junior college, Colorado Mesa University operated in this capacity from its founding in 1925 up until 1937. It was at this point in the school’s history that it began to offer students Bachelor’s degrees which prompted the school to be renamed to Mesa College to better reflect the scope of academic programs being offered at the school. Throughout the 20th Century, Mesa College continued to add more academic programs to its roster while attracting more students from across the state and country. With every passing year, the school’s enrollment increased and its course offerings grew more robust. In 1988, the school was renamed once again to Mesa State College to better reflect the function of the school. This name change also led to the creation of Mesa State College’s first Master’s programs. This new type of academic offering led to even more enrollment with the school. By 2011, it was decided that the school was to be renamed once more to Colorado Mesa University to reflect the school’s service to the state of Colorado. Today, Colorado Mesa University enrolls a student body of approximately 11,000 students.
Home of the Mavericks, Colorado Mesa University offers a wide selection of academic programs for students to choose from. At this time, students at Colorado Mesa University can choose from over 100 different undergraduate majors as well as a wide variety of graduate and doctoral programs. A large portion of these programs is also made available to student entirely online. By offering these programs online Colorado Mesa University has ranked among our top online universities and colleges in Colorado. Colorado Mesa University is a public institution.
Accreditation: Colorado Mesa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition: $406/credit
Click here for a list of Colorado Mesa University‘s online programs.
#3. University of Colorado Boulder
The flagship of the University of Colorado system, University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university. Located in the city of Boulder, Colorado, the University of Colorado Boulder was established in 1876. Predating Colorado’s admittance into the United States by five months, the University of Colorado Boulder was established by the Colorado territorial legislature. Prior to its founding in Boulder, the Colorado Legislature began to investigate sites in both Boulder and Cañon City. Whichever city did not receive the school would be home to the Colorado State Prison. Unfortunately for Cañon City, the Colorado Territorial Prison was already located within Cañon City making it a perfect fit for the prison. Having received the funding for the creation of the new school, Boulder began construction on the new school. In 1877, the University of Colorado Boulder was ready to admit its first class of students. Since then, the University of Colorado Boulder has remained on the cutting-edge of education within the state. Over the coming decades, Colorado State would found new schools that would be modeled after the University of Colorado Boulder. Today, the University of Colorado Boulder enrolls over 33,000 students.
Students at the University of Colorado Boulder can select from a wide array of academic programs made available at the school. Currently, the University of Colorado Boulder is offering over 150 different academic programs across its undergraduate and graduate offerings including eighty-five different undergraduate majors. Many of these programs are also made available to students entirely online helping the University of Colorado Boulder to rank among our top online universities and colleges in Colorado. University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution.
Accreditation: University of Colorado Boulder is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition: $427/credit
Click here for a list of University of Colorado Boulder‘s online programs.
#4. University of Colorado Denver
A member of the University of Colorado System, the University of Colorado Denver is a public research university. Located in Denver, Colorado, the University of Colorado Denver was first founded in 1912. While its official date of establishment was in 1912, the University of Colorado Denver has a history dating back to the late 1800s. In 1883, the University of Colorado Boulder called for the creation of a Department of Medicine and Surgery. While initially located in Boulder, the program was moved to Denver in order to accommodate the number of students interested in the program. Around the same time, the University of Colorado Denver proper was established as an Extension Center of Colorado’s Department of Correspondence and Extension. Acting as an extension campus for the University of Colorado, the school soon grew to take on a life of its own. By 1928 the extension center had taken up permanent residence in downtown Denver and was expanding across the city. By 1964, the school was renamed to the University of Colorado – Denver Center. The school was later renamed once again to the University of Colorado Denver in 1973 during a push to create more state college campuses. Today, the University of Colorado Denver has grown to enroll nearly 19,000 students.
The University of Colorado Denver offers students a wide selection of academic programs from which to enroll in. At this time, students at the University of Colorado Denver can choose to enroll in over 100 Bachelor’s programs as well as over fifty different Master’s degrees and over a dozen doctoral programs. The University of Colorado Denver offers many of these programs to students entirely online helping the school to rank among our top online universities and colleges in Colorado. University of Colorado Denver is a public institution.
Accreditation: University of Colorado Denver’s is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition: $498/credit
Click here for a list of University of Colorado Denver‘s online programs.
#5. University of Denver
A private research university, the University of Denver was established with the motto “For Science and Religion”. Established in 1864, the University of Denver was originally known as the Colorado Seminary. Founded by the former Governor of the Colorado Territory, John Evans, the Colorado Seminary was created in order to help bring education to the people of the newly settled city of Denver, Colorado. However, the school proved to be unpopular from the outset. Trying to entice the people of the mining town to gain a proper education, the Colorado Seminary struggled in its early years. However, as higher education gained popularity so did the University of Denver. Founded in association with the Methodist Church, the University of Denver is still affiliated with the church. Since its founding, the University of Denver has helped to play a crucial role in shaping the city of Denver. What was once a mining encampment has transformed into a full city through the help of the University of Denver. Still officially named the Colorado Seminary, the University of Denver does business under the University of Denver name. Today, the University of Denver is home to a student body of over 11,500 students.
Home of the Pioneers, the University of Denver has amassed a large college of academic programs for students to enroll in. At this time, students at the University of Denver are able to enroll in over 100 different undergraduate degree programs as well as over 120 different graduate-level programs. A selection of these programs is made available to students entirely online helping the University of Denver to rank among the top online universities and colleges in Colorado. University of Denver is a private institution.
Accreditation: University of Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition: $1,005/credit
Click here for a list of University of Denver‘s online programs.
#6. Colorado Christian University
Located in Lakewood, Colorado, Colorado Christian University is a private Christian university. Established in 1914, Colorado Christian University’s motto is “Grace and Truth”. Originally known as the Denver Bible Institute, Colorado Christian University initially worked to provide religious people with the opportunity to learn more about the Christian faith and the Bible. Over time, the scope of the school began to expand to include more traditional academic pursuits. In 1945, the school received a charter from the state of Colorado to offer four-year degree programs and the school was then renamed to the Denver Bible College. With this change came an expansion of the school’s programs to include more liberal arts programs. Four years later the school was renamed to Rockmount College. Operating as Rockmount College until 1981 the school was then renamed again Colorado Christian College after merging with the Western Bible Institute. The school was finally renamed to Colorado Christian University in 1989 after one final merger with the Colorado Baptist University. Today, Colorado Christian University enrolls a student body of approximately 8,200 students.
Home of the Cougars, Colorado Christian University offers its students a large selection of academic programs from which to enroll from. Currently, students at Colorado Christian University can enroll in over 100 different degree programs from across the school’s undergraduate and graduate degree offerings. A large number of these programs are also made available to students entirely online helping Colorado Christian University to rank among our top online universities and colleges in Colorado. Colorado Christian University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Colorado Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition: $653/credit
Click here for a list of Colorado Christian University‘s online programs.
#7. University of Northern Colorado
A public research university, the University of Northern Colorado is located in Greeley, Colorado. Founded with the motto “Wisdom is eternal”, the University of Northern Colorado was first established in 1889. Originally known as the State Normal School of Colorado, the University of Northern Colorado’s original mission was to provide teacher training to those interested in becoming a teacher that would serve the state of Colorado. After operating in this capacity for over two decades, the school was renamed in 1911 to the Colorado State Teachers College. This change in name also brought with it the addition of academic programs including Bachelor’s degrees. This addition of official undergraduate degree programs let to a surge in enrollment with the school. As more students flocked to the school, the Colorado State Teachers College was able to expand its curriculum. In 1935, the school was renamed to the Colorado State College of Education. This name change also brought with it the addition of graduate degree programs to the school’s offerings. The school’s name was shortened to Colorado State College in 1957 and then renamed to the University of Northern Colorado in 1970. At this time, the University of Northern Colorado enrolls just over 12,000 students.
The University of Northern Colorado maintains a selection of many different academic programs for students to enroll in. Currently, students at the University of Northern Colorado can choose from over 100 different undergraduate programs as well as many graduate degrees. A large selection of these programs is also made available to students entirely online helping the University of Northern Colorado to place among our top online universities and colleges in Colorado. The University of Northern Colorado is a public institution.
Accreditation: University of Northern Colorado is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition: $776/credit
Click here for a list of University of Northern Colorado‘s online programs.
#8. University of Colorado Colorado Springs
With the motto “Let Your Light Shine”, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public university that is part of the University of Colorado System. Located in Colorado Springs, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs was established in 1965. While the official establishment of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs dates back to 1965, the history of its campus goes back even further to 1902. Originally known as the Cragmor Sanatorium, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs’ campus was originally created to treat those with tuberculosis. A beautiful facility, the Cragmor Sanatorium closed during the 1950s. Around this same time, the University of Colorado had begun to offer classes in the city of Colorado Springs. In time, the classes had become so popular that the University of Colorado began to search for a permanent campus for these courses. They didn’t have to search long. Cragmor Sanatorium was donated to the state of Colorado to be used as the new campus for the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in 1965. Still maintaining parts of its campus at the Sanatorium, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs has also moved some of its operations to northern Colorado Springs. Today, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs enrolls almost 13,000 students.
Students at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs can select from a catalog of many different academic programs offered at the school. Students at the school can choose from nearly fifty different undergraduate programs as well as over twenty Master’s degrees and five different doctoral programs. A selection of these programs is also made available to students entirely online earning the University of Colorado Colorado Springs a place among our top online universities and colleges in Colorado. University of Colorado Colorado Springs is a public institution.
Accreditation: University of Colorado Colorado Springs is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition: $776/credit
#9. Western Colorado University
Located in Gunnison, Colorado, Western Colorado University is a public university. Established in 1901, Western Colorado University was originally known as the Colorado State Normal School. The first of its kind on the Western Slope region of Colorado, the Colorado State Normal School was originally founded in order to provide training for those interested in becoming teachers within the state of Colorado. Admitting its first class of students in 1911, the Colorado State Normal School provided teacher training courses for the next ten years. In 1923, the school was renamed to Western State College of Colorado. This name change was to recognize the expansion of the school’s curriculum. Now offering student undergraduate and graduate programs, Western State College of Colorado continued to grow. Following World War II, Western State College of Colorado experienced a surge of enrollment due to the GI Bill which helped propel the school forward through the 20th century. In 2012 the school was renamed to Western State Colorado University and then finally to Western Colorado University in 2018. Today, Western Colorado University enrolls a student body of approximately 3,000 students.
Students at Western Colorado University are able to choose from a large selection of academic programs offered at the school. At this time, students can choose from over ninety different areas of study including undergraduate and graduate degree programs. A large selection of these programs is also made available to students entirely online, earning Western Colorado University its place among our top online universities and colleges in Colorado.
Accreditation: Western Colorado University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition: $1080/credit
#10. Regis University
Established in 1877, Regis University is a private, Roman-Catholic, Jesuit, university. Located in Denver, Colorado, Regis University is founded on the motto “Men and Women in Service of Others”. Originally known as the Las Vegas College, Regis University was founded by a group of Italian Jesuits who were in exile. Settling in the town of Las Vegas, New Mexico, the group of Italian Jesuits founded Las Vegas College in 1877. Years later in 1884, the Bishop of Denver invited the group of Italian Jesuits to the town of Morrison, Colorado for their help in establishing a school. The Jesuits agreed and Las Vegas College was merged with the newly formed Sacred Heart College. This new institution was known as the College of the Sacred Heart. The school was later renamed in 1921 to Regis College in honor of Saint John Francis Regis. Saint John Francis Regis was a highly-regarded saint who had worked with the poor in the mounts of Southern France. In 1991, the school was renamed to its current name of Regis University. Regis University has grown to become one of the premier schools in the state of Colorado and enrolls a student body of almost 8,400 students.
Home of the Rangers, Regis University maintains a large catalog of academic programs for its student body. Currently, students at Regis University can choose from hundreds of academic programs including undergraduate and graduate degree programs. A large number of these programs are also made available to students entirely online, earning Regis University a place among our top online universities and colleges in Colorado. Regis University is a private institution.
Accreditation: Regis University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Tuition: $1,102/credit
Click here for a list of Regis University‘s online programs.
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