Choices for online colleges in Colorado are plentiful. Much of the state is mountainous and receives an average of over 40 inches of snow per year, making travel difficult at times. Online education in this state is the perfect choice. You have the flexibility to choose a school that you know and trust, and you can easily complete your classes around your schedule, even when that schedule includes a career, a family, or a blizzard.
Four reasons to find an online college in your state:
- Guaranteed in-state tuition saves you money
- Be a part of a university or college you know and love
- Get a degree from a school employers know and trust
- Be close enough to easily visit when desired
Ranking guidelines for the best online colleges in Colorado:
We selected the online colleges and universities here based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.
Note: In ranking the best online colleges in Colorado, giving attention to the variety of degree programs available at the institutions is of utmost importance. For this reason, a more prestigious school in Colorado may offer one, or a few online degrees, but that may not be enough for that school to rank highly among the best online colleges in the state. In this ranking, we are dedicated to showing who’s leading the way in delivering quality online degree programs in Colorado.
- See who ranks as the best college and university in Colorado today.
- Five Colorado universities rank among the 100 Best Online Colleges for 2017.
- The University of Colorado ranks among The 100 Best Universities in the World.
The Best Online Colleges in Colorado
1University of Denver–University College
(Denver, CO)
The University of Denver, founded in 1864, is a private university with over 12,000 students. The university is a designated arboretum and has hosted presidential debates in years past. The historic Chamberlin Observatory, is open to the public. The university provides a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees and professional programs.
The University of Denver offers its online bachelor, master and certificate programs through its University College. Available online bachelor’s degrees include environmental studies and information technology. Online master’s degree options include the arts and security management. Certificate programs attainable online include human resource management and geographic information systems.
Online resources available to students include an online library with academic journal article database and 24/7 career help via webcam.
The University of Denver is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
2Colorado State University, Fort Collins
(Fort Collins, CO)
Colorado State University, Fort Collins is a land-grant university established in 1870. Over 30,000 students attend the Colorado State University System’s flagship school. The school has more than 50 academic departments and over 150 degree programs.
Colorado State University, Fort Collins has a strong selection of bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs available online. Bachelor’s degree offerings include economics, anthropology and psychology. Master’s degrees include dietetics, engineering and social work. Doctoral degree options include higher education leadership and organizational learning. The school offers a variety of online certificate programs.
Online students have access to an online library with a scholarly article database, a dissertation database and an online writing center.
Colorado State University, Fort Collins is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
3Colorado State University–Global Campus
(Greenwood Village, CO)
Colorado State University – Global Campus, an online public university, went live in 2007. The university, a member of the Colorado State University System, teaches more than 12,000 students and offers a plethora of undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Colorado State University – Global Campus has a wide variety of bachelor’s and master’s degrees available exclusively online. Online bachelor’s degree options include human resources, criminal justice and information technology, while available master’s degrees include finance, education and accounting.
Online student resources include an online library with a librarian available 24/7, a career services department which offers a career coach and online resume help, 24/7 technical support and online tutoring.
Colorado State University – Global Campus is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
4Regis University
(Denver, CO)
Regis University is a private Roman Catholic university. The Society of Jesus established the university in 1877. Regis University is a member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The university has welcomed several Nobel Peace Prize recipients as guest speakers, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Dalai Lama, David Trimble, Betty Williams and Pope John Paul II.
The university has five academic colleges with over 9,000 students. Three of the university’s academic colleges offer a variety of online bachelor, master and certificate programs. The College of Computer and Information Sciences offers an online bachelor’s degree in computer science, the College for Professional Studies offers an online master’s degree in criminology and the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions offers a certificate in health care informatics among many others.
Online resources available to Regis University students include an extensive online library with scholarly article database.
Regis University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Regis University ranks among the 100 Best Online Colleges!
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5University of Colorado–Denver
(Denver, CO)
Established in 1912, the University of Colorado, Denver, is a public research university and part of the University of Colorado System. The university has over 18,000 students and offers over 140 degree programs. The university is among the largest research institutions in Colorado and has one of the most prolific graduate schools in the state.
The University of Colorado Denver provides bachelor’s degrees online in subjects such as nursing and English Writing, a variety of online master’s degrees including a Master of Arts in Information and Learning Technologies, Schools Library degree and a Master of Criminal Justice degree and a number of online certificates. Certificate programs include health care informatics and nonprofit management.
Resources available to online students include a library with a scholarly article database.
The University of Colorado, Denver is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
6University of Colorado – Colorado Springs
(Colorado Springs, CO)
Established in 1965, University of Colorado – Colorado Springs has more than 12,000 students. It has six academic colleges: the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, the Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences, the College of Business and Administration, the College of Education, the School of Public Affairs and the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
The University of Colorado – Colorado Springs offers many online bachelor, master, doctoral and certificate programs. Online bachelor’s degrees include criminal justice and sociology. Online master’s degree options include nursing and education. Online doctoral degrees include nursing, while online certificates include instructional technology and nonprofit management.
Resources available to the university’s online students include an online library with scholarly article databases.
The University of Colorado – Colorado Springs is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
7Adams State University
(Alamosa, CO)
Adams State University, established in 1921, was originally a teacher training school in an effort to provide rural areas with teachers that were more qualified. Since its inception, the university has attained a reputation of serving people who would remain underrepresented otherwise. It was the first university the federal government designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution. A quarter of its 3,000 plus students are Hispanic.
Adams State University offers a number of distance programs, including the old-fashioned correspondence programs for the incarcerated.
Adams State University offers several online associate, bachelor and master degrees. Available online associate’s degrees include business and emergency management. Online bachelor’s degrees include history and criminology. Online master’s degree options include education.
Online student resources include an online library with streaming video and a scholarly article database.
Adams State University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
8Colorado Christian University
(Lakewood, CO)
Colorado Christian University, a Christian liberal arts university founded in 1914, has 5,000 students. The university has two academic colleges: the College of Undergraduate Studies and the College of Adult and Graduate Studies which offer numerous degree programs. Each traditional student attending classes at the university is required to sign a Lifestyle Covenant pledging that the student will commit to living by a biblical lifestyle.
Colorado Christian University offers online associate, bachelor, master and certificate programs through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies. Online associate’s degrees include psychology and criminal justice. Online bachelor’s degrees include accounting and business administration. Online master’s degree options include counseling and nursing. Online certificate programs include ethics and online teaching and learning.
The university’s library offers a variety of online services, including live chat with a librarian, an online eBook library, a scholarly article database and an online music library.
Colorado Christian University is regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC).