Best Education Programs in Colorado (2026)
Education programs in Colorado prepare students for K-12 teaching, special education, and educational leadership. The schools below are ranked by program strength, certification pass rates (where available), and net price — important for a field where starting salaries are modest.
#1
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO
Net Price
$33,375/yr
Median Earnings
$65,222
Grad Rate
87%
Education Share
1.5%
#2
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO
Net Price
$25,346/yr
Median Earnings
$69,738
Grad Rate
75%
Education Share
1.0%
#3
Regis University
Denver, CO
Net Price
$18,397/yr
Median Earnings
$72,105
Grad Rate
61%
Education Share
1.5%
#4
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO
Net Price
$21,279/yr
Median Earnings
$60,543
Grad Rate
67%
Education Share
0.5%
#5
Colorado Christian University
Lakewood, CO
Net Price
$29,500/yr
Median Earnings
$50,416
Grad Rate
60%
Education Share
9.1%
#6
University of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO
Net Price
$17,760/yr
Median Earnings
$52,231
Grad Rate
51%
Education Share
12.1%
#7
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver, CO
Net Price
$11,900/yr
Median Earnings
$64,270
Grad Rate
47%
Education Share
2.0%
#8
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO
Net Price
$15,788/yr
Median Earnings
$54,659
Grad Rate
46%
Education Share
4.8%
#9
Western Colorado University
Gunnison, CO
Net Price
$16,425/yr
Median Earnings
$46,833
Grad Rate
51%
Education Share
2.1%
#10
Trinidad State College
Trinidad, CO
Net Price
$10,772/yr
Median Earnings
$36,475
Grad Rate
55%
Education Share
6.3%
#11
Colorado State University Pueblo
Pueblo, CO
Net Price
$10,051/yr
Median Earnings
$55,563
Grad Rate
39%
Education Share
0.9%
#12
Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO
Net Price
$17,296/yr
Median Earnings
$46,349
Grad Rate
39%
Education Share
3.1%
#13
Morgan Community College
Fort Morgan, CO
Net Price
$9,266/yr
Median Earnings
$39,429
Grad Rate
45%
Education Share
3.3%
#14
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Denver, CO
Net Price
$15,327/yr
Median Earnings
$52,093
Grad Rate
31%
Education Share
4.3%
#15
Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, CO
Net Price
$15,103/yr
Median Earnings
$45,823
Grad Rate
41%
Education Share
0.6%
#16
Front Range Community College
Westminster, CO
Net Price
$13,031/yr
Median Earnings
$45,910
Grad Rate
33%
Education Share
5.7%
#17
Red Rocks Community College
Lakewood, CO
Net Price
$9,044/yr
Median Earnings
$46,288
Grad Rate
35%
Education Share
2.7%
#18
Arapahoe Community College
Littleton, CO
Net Price
$11,571/yr
Median Earnings
$48,341
Grad Rate
28%
Education Share
5.0%
#19
Adams State University
Alamosa, CO
Net Price
$12,980/yr
Median Earnings
$44,372
Grad Rate
36%
Education Share
2.0%
#20
Community College of Denver
Denver, CO
Net Price
$9,450/yr
Median Earnings
$39,095
Grad Rate
18%
Education Share
19.1%
#21
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design
Lakewood, CO
Net Price
$32,363/yr
Median Earnings
$42,958
Grad Rate
34%
Education Share
3.8%
#22
Colorado Mountain College
Glenwood Springs, CO
Net Price
$7,813/yr
Median Earnings
$44,127
Grad Rate
27%
Education Share
6.7%
#23
Pueblo Community College
Pueblo, CO
Net Price
$12,045/yr
Median Earnings
$37,434
Grad Rate
34%
Education Share
3.8%
#24
Pikes Peak State College
Colorado Springs, CO
Net Price
$6,007/yr
Median Earnings
$40,796
Grad Rate
22%
Education Share
3.2%
Why a Education degree?
Special Education has 1% unemployment and 98% of districts report difficulty filling roles. Teacher shortages are the most severe in 30+ years.
Common career paths: Elementary Teacher · Special Education Teacher · High School Teacher · School Counselor · Principal/Administrator
Typical starting salary range: $45,000–$65,000
Find your best fit, not just the highest rank
Our 2-minute quiz weights cost, earnings, graduation rate, and other priorities to your family — and matches you to schools that actually fit, not just the top of a list.
Take the fit quiz →Other majors in Colorado
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