Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

31 Best Universities in Colorado

Exploring the academic landscape of Colorado, our index provides a definitive ranking of the top 31 higher education institutions. The algorithmic evaluation processed 485.2K scholarly outputs and 18.82M peer-reviewed citations, mapping the region's total research impact. The ranking also highlights the real-world influence of these universities, represented by 202.2K notable alumni globally.

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1

Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder

#45 in United States #48 in North America

78% Acceptance

34,096 Enrollment

1335 Avg SAT

1876 Founded

2

Fort Collins

Colorado State University – Fort Collins

#65 in United States #71 in North America

89% Acceptance

10,813 Enrollment

1175 Avg SAT

1870 Founded

3

Denver

University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

#107 in United States #122 in North America

75% Acceptance

2,256 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

1912 Founded

4

Denver

University of Denver

#160 in United States #184 in North America

78% Acceptance

32,701 Enrollment

1325 Avg SAT

1864 Founded

5

Golden

Colorado School of Mines

#198 in United States #225 in North America

61% Acceptance

26,133 Enrollment

1400 Avg SAT

1873 Founded

6

Colorado Springs

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

#294 in United States #325 in North America

97% Acceptance

4,666 Enrollment

1115 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

7

Greeley

University of Northern Colorado

#317 in United States #353 in North America

86% Acceptance

2,901 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1889 Founded

8

Colorado Springs

Colorado College

#390 in United States #436 in North America

18% Acceptance

2,901 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1874 Founded

9

Denver

Metropolitan State University of Denver

#527 in United States #579 in North America

99% Acceptance

2,901 Enrollment

1005 Avg SAT

1965 Founded

10

Denver

Regis University

#584 in United States #641 in North America

86% Acceptance

2,901 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1877 Founded

11

Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College

#669 in United States #732 in North America

77% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1110 Avg SAT

1911 Founded

12

Grand Junction

Colorado Mesa University

#767 in United States #835 in North America

82% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1045 Avg SAT

1925 Founded

13

Gunnison

Western State Colorado University

#805 in United States #873 in North America

100% Acceptance

2,901 Enrollment

1258 Avg SAT

1901 Founded

14

Pueblo

Colorado State University – Pueblo

#843 in United States #911 in North America

95% Acceptance

5,324 Enrollment

1325 Avg SAT

1933 Founded

15

Alamosa

Adams State University

#1018 in United States #1091 in North America

100% Acceptance

3,531 Enrollment

1005 Avg SAT

1921 Founded

16

Boulder

Naropa University

#1030 in United States #1104 in North America

100% Acceptance

1,874 Enrollment

1265 Avg SAT

1974 Founded

17

Lakewood, CO

Colorado Christian University

#1146 in United States #1221 in North America

100% Acceptance

2,901 Enrollment

1070 Avg SAT

1914 Founded

18

Colorado Springs

Colorado Technical University – Colorado Springs

#1242 in United States #1320 in North America

100% Acceptance

28,246 Enrollment

1965 Founded

$16,449 Net Price

19

Littleton

Denver Seminary

#1517 in United States #1603 in North America

90% Acceptance

371 Enrollment

20 Avg ACT

20

Parker

Rocky Vista University

#1596 in United States #1683 in North America

10% Acceptance

2,109 Enrollment

1100 Avg SAT

2006 Founded

21

Lakewood, CO

Red Rocks Community College

#1650 in United States #1737 in North America

100% Acceptance

8,322 Enrollment

22

Aurora, CO

American Sentinel University

#1747 in United States #1836 in North America

100% Acceptance

28,467 Enrollment

1045 Avg SAT

23

Lakewood, CO

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design

#1766 in United States #1855 in North America

100% Acceptance

2,061 Enrollment

1963 Founded

$31,752 Net Price

24

Denver

Aspen University

#1769 in United States #1858 in North America

100% Acceptance

1,475 Enrollment

$13,781 Net Price

25

Denver

Iliff School of Theology

#2019 in United States #2112 in North America

66% Acceptance

26

Greenwood Village

Colorado State University – Global Campus

#2034 in United States #2127 in North America

98% Acceptance

7,157 Enrollment

27

Boulder

Southwest Acupuncture College – Boulder

#2206 in United States #2305 in North America

100% Acceptance

28

Louisville, CO

Institute of Taoist Education and Acupuncture

#2217 in United States #2316 in North America

80% Acceptance

29

Denver

Colorado School of Traditional Chinese Medicine

#2227 in United States #2327 in North America

85% Acceptance

30

Lakewood, CO

Taft University System

#2273 in United States #2374 in North America

100% Acceptance

31

Denver

Denver College of Nursing

#2466 in United States #2567 in North America

100% Acceptance

757 Enrollment